With Red Bull Racing trailing behind McLaren and Mercedes after the first two races of the season, concerns are growing about the reigning world champion Max Verstappen’s future with the team. The performance clauses in Verstappen’s contract mean that if Red Bull cannot provide a competitive car, it might be difficult to retain the Dutch superstar.
Marko Acknowledges Uncertainty Surrounding Verstappen’s Future
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, emphasized that while it is still early in the season, ensuring a competitive car for Verstappen is crucial.
"Max wants a car that can always win. There are always performance clauses, and if we cannot deliver that, it will be difficult [to retain Verstappen]," Marko told ServusTV. He also noted that it’s only the second race of the season but acknowledged that Red Bull needs to act swiftly to secure Verstappen’s long-term commitment.
Chinese Grand Prix Highlights Red Bull’s Performance Concerns
The Chinese Grand Prix underscored the challenges Red Bull is currently facing. While McLaren dominated with a stunning one-two finish, led by Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, Verstappen could only manage a P4 finish. Despite delivering a flawless performance, Verstappen crossed the line nearly 17 seconds behind race winner Piastri, highlighting the gap between Red Bull and the front-runners.
“We have a technical deficit,” Marko admitted. “We have to figure out how to build a winning car again and within what time frame.”
Crisis Meeting Scheduled at Red Bull Headquarters
In response to their struggles, Red Bull has scheduled a crisis meeting at their Milton Keynes headquarters, which Verstappen is expected to attend. The objective will be to analyze the current issues and explore ways to enhance performance.
“A quick update would be nice, but you can't rely on that,” Marko cautioned, suggesting that while the team is pushing for improvements, they are not expecting instant solutions.
Verstappen’s Contract and Potential Exit Clause
Verstappen’s contract reportedly includes performance-related clauses that could allow him to exit the team if Red Bull fails to provide a competitive car. Given Verstappen’s desire to remain at the top, continued underperformance might open the door for him to explore opportunities elsewhere.
“It will be difficult to keep Verstappen if we cannot deliver,” Marko reiterated, underscoring the urgency for Red Bull to close the performance gap.
Red Bull’s Time Frame to Rectify Issues
With the season still in its early stages, Marko remains hopeful that Red Bull can address their performance issues. However, given the rapid development pace of rivals such as McLaren and Mercedes, the pressure is mounting for the Austrian team to make swift advancements.
The upcoming races will be crucial in determining whether Red Bull can restore their dominance and retain Verstappen, or if the Dutch driver might consider a future beyond the Milton Keynes-based outfit.