Driver market dominoes set up as red bull saga takes new twist with fia

FORMULA 1

Max Verstappen has made it quite clear where his allegiances lie. He may well have a contract to provisionally remain at Red Bull until the end of 2028 but, should team advisor Helmut Marko be sent packing – – amid claims that the Austrian is behind leaks to the media regarding the allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by a female employee against team boss Christian Horner – then he’ll be inclined to follow him through the door. To that end, Verstappen’s father Jos says Red Bull will “explode” if Horner stays.

The Briton’s future is still far from resolved. Although the independent eight-week investigation called for by Red Bull found no evidence of any wrongdoing, that verdict is now set for appeal. The FIA is also evaluating an official complaint over Horner’s behaviour, which is believed to have come from the female employee, who was suspended by Red Bull.

The governing body has an Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy aimed at ensuring that all people are treated equally, with respect and dignity. “At the FIA, enquiries and complaints are received and managed by the compliance officer, and the ethics committee where appropriate,” an FIA statement read. “Both bodies operate autonomously, guaranteeing strict confidentiality throughout the process. As a consequence, and in general, we are unable to confirm the receipt of any specific complaint and it is unlikely that we will be able to provide further comment on the complaints that we may receive from any parties.”

As the Red Bull hierarchy weigh up the value of Marko – plus the support he clearly has from the Verstappens – versus Horner, they might also wish to consider a clause in Max’s contract. It has come to light that the three-time world champion has a lever to walk should Marko be given his marching orders. Most intriguing of all is that, according to sources, this clause was not part of the original terms and conditions that Verstappen signed with Red Bull when they renewed vows in 2022. Instead, it is understood that the clause forms part of a more recent addendum. Moreover, this was put in place unilaterally by the Verstappens and Marko without Red Bull’s F1 team, or Horner, knowing anything about it at the time. Marko was able to do so because he i