P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has revealed that his threat during the 2024 Formula 1 campaign to leave Red Bull if Helmut Marko was let go “wasn’t a bluff”.
During Round 2 of the 2024 season in Saudi Arabia, there was controversy surrounding Red Bull’s campaign, with accusations of misconduct against Team Principal Christian Horner. Despite being later cleared of the allegations, speculation and rifts emerged in the public eye. Amidst this turmoil, reports surfaced that Helmut Marko was under investigation for leaking information about the allegations to the media. Max Verstappen openly voiced his support for Marko, emphasizing his importance in the team’s decision-making and his own future plans. Verstappen revealed a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave Red Bull if Marko left, but this clause has since been removed to ensure stability within the team. Despite the behind-the-scenes drama affecting him, Verstappen remained committed to Red Bull and is focused on securing his fifth straight F1 title in 2025, while Marko continues to groom future talents for the team.
