[Sport] Impact on Formula 1: Max Verstappen would have threatened to leave the Red Bull team amid a strong internal conflict

[FNX Magokiler]

Formula 1, the most important category in motorsport, is shocked by the news. One of its greatest references, the Dutch Max Verstappen, three-time world champion, could leave the Red Bull team as a result of an internal conflict between two of the main leaders of that team, with which he still has a contract (until 2028).

This internal problem in Red Bull would have arisen due to the severe differences between Helmut Marko, former driver and advisor to the Austrian team, and Christian Horner, the head of the “Red Bull” team who, according to specialized European media, initiated a “coup d’état.” ” against Marko. The discussion would have originated because Horner would also intend to be in charge of Alpha Tauri, Red Bull's peripheral team, in order to be able to choose which drivers could sign future contracts and, to achieve that objective, he must “get Marko”, who was the “right hand” of the late Dietrich Mateschitz, founder of the company.

Since the death of Mateschitz, in October of last year, Horner would have found the right reason to go “against” Marko, although he seems “immovable” in the structure. “If Helmut (for Marko) had to leave, Max (for Verstappen) would also leave,” Oliver Minttzlaff, a strong investor in the Austrian team, told the Insider F-1 site.

 

 

Verstappen and Marko have known each other since the Dutch driver joined Red Bull's driver development project at the age of 16, when the current three-time world champion was still racing in the karting category.

“Verstappen would have threatened to leave the team based on a gesture of loyalty (...) By winning his sixth Constructors' title five rounds from the end of the 2023 Formula 1 season -second in a row-, Red Bull did not you live the joy you could. On the contrary: there is a focus of conflict,” published the Spanish newspaper. It should be remembered that, as reported by Daily Mail and The Telegraph, Verstappen signed a five-season contract with the team in exchange for $53 million per year; although it seems clear that out of “loyalty” to Marko, the Dutchman would be willing to leave. For the moment both will continue in the Austrian team. Even when?

For more records, on the American tour
Verstappen will compete for pride, points and more records this weekend at the United States Grand Prix, the 18th round of the Formula 1 world championship. In the first of four race weekends in the Americas , ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi, much of the focus will be on politics and preparation for 2024, with Ferrari and Mercedes struggling to close the gap on dominant Red Bull.

 

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