When Max Verstappen indirectly threatened to leave the drinks manufacturer’s Formula 1 racing team in the spring of 2024, the height of the quarrels at Red Bull Racing, many observers wondered how serious the F1 world champion was with his words. Now Verstappen has made it clear: the threat back then was not a bluff.
At Red Bull Racing, the dethroned Formula 1 constructors’ world champion, the house blessing went wrong time and again in the past season. At the beginning of the year, among other things, the internal anger between team boss Christian Horner and motorsport consultant Helmut Marko ensured that Max Verstappen stood up for Marko, who, according to rumors, was about to be replaced.
“It’s clear to me that Helmut has to stay. He built this team together with Dietrich (Mateschitz/d.Red.) from day one,” Verstappen said and added in a media roundtable around the Saudi Arabian GP : “[…] My loyalty to him is great. I always told everyone on the team that. He is an important part of my decisions, also regarding the future of the team. It’s very important that he stays in the team.”
The result is known: Marko stayed. And Verstappen didn’t succumb to Mercedes’ long-lasting lure calls either. Verstappen’s words certainly had a threatening character, as he now revealed in a season summary to the “Telegraaf”.
“I think I’ve made it clear what I think about it,” he said when asked by the Dutch newspaper about his threat to leave if Marko had to leave.
Verstappen admits: “Feeling wasn’t quite 100 percent”
“I also think it was important that I said that back then. And I meant it,” emphasized the four-time Formula 1 world champion and clearly added: “It wasn’t a bluff.” Everyone in the team knew that, he added.
“Did I have any doubts about my future at Red Bull at that point? Well, the feeling wasn’t quite 100 percent,” admitted Verstappen.
There was a lot going on at the F1 racing team, which, among other things, initiated an investigation against team boss Horner because a close employee reported the Brit for alleged misconduct. There were also the internal power struggles described.
But Verstappen showed perseverance. “I also don’t think that if something goes wrong, you can immediately say: I’m leaving. That’s not how I’m wired,” he emphasized.