Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has admitted the “danger is there” that Max Verstappen could decide to leave the side should its recent decline in Formula 1 continue.
Verstappen has become agitated since Red Bull’s earlier-season dominance was overturned to the point that his all but certain Drivers’ title has been put under threat.
The Dutchman, who was victorious seven times in the opening 10 rounds, is on an eight-race winless streak as McLaren has usurped Red Bull as the benchmark side.
Verstappen’s vexation boiled over during the Hungarian Grand Prix in July when his urge to the team to “wake up” preceded a tense discussion with his race engineer.
An impending exodus behind the scenes at Red Bull has also contributed to rumours that Verstappen could chase an exit amid long-standing interest from Mercedes.
Marko has conceded that Red Bull runs the risk of Verstappen, who retains a contract through 2028, choosing to depart unless its situation on and off track improves.
“The danger is there. Max is not a guy who wants to beat the records of [Michael] Schumacher or [Lewis] Hamilton,” Marko told Sport.De.
“When he’s in the car, he wants to win, but the environment has to be right.
“If the whole thing no longer suits him, you can expect him to say from one day to the next: that’s it!”
Verstappen’s Red Bull contract has break clauses
Marko has reiterated that Verstappen’s deal contains certain release clauses that could facilitate an earlier exit, although he wouldn’t be drawn on the specific details.
“Most top drivers have exit clauses that are performance-related. Max has one too,” he divulged.
“This means that if we can’t provide him with a car in which he can drive at the front, [leaving] is certainly something he will consider.”
Verstappen undecided on new F1 deal
Verstappen hit the 200-race mark at the Dutch Grand Prix in August, but he has been adamant that he doesn’t plan to remain in F1 long enough to double that number.
The three-time F1 champion has expressed that the upcoming regulation switch in 2026 will prove to have a decisive role in how long he opts to continue in the sport.
“Of course, ‘28 is still very far away but in my mind at the moment, I’m not thinking about a new contract at the moment,” he said in Zandvoort.
“I just want to see how it goes. Also see the new regulations first, you know, if it’s fun or not.
“And then even in ‘26, ‘27, there’s a lot of time to decide what happens. So I just keep everything open. But yeah, I’m quite easygoing about it.”
READ MORE: Max Verstappen: Red Bull’s initial 2024 F1 dominance masked balance issues
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