Max Verstappen helped Red Bull get back to the top of the grid again. From 2014 to 2021, it was their rivals, Mercedes, who dominated the sport. Previously, from 2010 to 2013, the Austrian outfit was winning everything, thanks to the domination of Sebastian Vettel. But the change of regulations made the big change in the sport’s hegemony. In the turbo-hybrid era, Mercedes was unbeatable. Their domination lasted for eight straight years. Then, in 2022, certain changes in regulations marked the new era of cost caps. No other team could challenge Red Bull for the title. However, at the end of the 2021 season, Max Verstappen broke the streak of Lewis Hamilton.
That was a huge turning point in the sport. After all, since then, the Dutch driver has been unstoppable. In the last two seasons, Max won back-to-back championships in a dominating style. As a result, the Dutchman joined the elite group of three-time champions. He helped Red Bull win 38 races in a couple of years. Max alone won 34 races in the last two seasons. Hence, the Dutch racer has been a blessing for the Austrian outfit. However, a situation can be forming on the horizon where Max will have to leave Red Bull in not so distant future.
Max Verstappen And Red Bull’s Future Will Depend On Helmut Marko’s Fate
Anyway, the current three-time champion has a contract with the Milton Keynes outfit that lasts till 2028. Moreover, when the team is doing so well performance-wise together, it does not make any sense for the Dutch racer to leave this team. However, things have not been great internally for the Austrian outfit. Christian Horner was the main focus at the start of Red Bull’s internal chaos. A female employee of the Red Bull team accused Horner of inappropriate behavior. Later, Max Verstappen’s father Jos said the team will tear itself apart if Horner stays as the team principal. Then, media experts saw Jos talking with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. Is Verstappen Sr. planning to move his son to Mercedes as the replacement for Lewis Hamilton?
Later, Max said anything can happen after Hamilton decided to join Ferrari in 2025. But after he took another pole position in Jeddah in the ongoing season, Max Verstappen said Helmut Marko’s fate with the team will determine his plan for the future. As per Motorsport, Max said he has a lot of respect for the Red Bull advisor and what they have achieved together. Moreover, Max noted that his loyalty to Helmut Marko is very big. Hence, it is essential that Marko stays within the team as he is an important part of Max Verstappen’s decision making forever in the future. Later, Max also mentioned that it is a whole team effort. Hence, the Dutchman wishes other key members of their success in recent times also stays together.
Can Red Bull Suspend Helmut Marko?
On Friday, in Saudi Arabia, a rumor came along that says the parent Red Bull company can suspend Helmut Marko. Perhaps the energy drink company plans to suspend Marko after recent leaks to the media amid a fresh investigation. Initially, the parent company of the F1 team was looking to maintain confidential informations regarding Horner’s “Inappropriate behavior.”
Later, Helmut Marko told ORF, the Austrian broadcaster that “Theoretically” it is possible that the parent company can suspend him from Monday. And the Red Bull advisor might also miss the Australian Grand Prix in 2024, if he gets a suspension. That’s where Max Verstappen comes into play as the reigning triple-time champion mentioned that he won’t accept Helmut Marko being out of the team.
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