Max Verstappen's manager holds crunch meeting with Thai Red Bull bosses in Dubai
Max Verstappen's Red Bull future has been in doubt after Mercedes and Aston Martin expressed interest in his services.
Max Verstappen’s manager reportedly held a meeting with Red Bull’s Thai bosses in Dubai after the Australian Grand Prix. Speculation over the future of the three-time world champion, who retired early in Melbourne for the first time in two years and was denied the chance to equal his record of 10 consecutive race wins, is running rife amid the saga surrounding Christian Horner.
Auto Motor und Sport reported that Raymond Vermeulen, who represents Verstappen, sat down with Red Bull bosses in the Middle East following the latest race. The contents of the meeting are unknown, but it is claimed that the manager did not try to persuade team majority owner Chalerm Yoovidhya that Horner had to step down.
Horner has remained in his position after being cleared of any wrongdoing following a team investigation into accusations of inappropriate behaviour.
There is a possibility that Verstappen’s future at Red Bull was discussed, despite having a contract with the team until 2028. He has been linked with a move to Mercedes while Aston Martin are also reportedly preparing a very attractive package to prise him away from Horner’s outfit.
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Verstappen was quick to point out the length of his contract in Australia when quizzed over his future, though rumours of an internal power struggle have threatened the futures of Verstappen, Horner, senior advisor Helmut Marko and chief technology officer Adrian Newey.
And crucially, Marko reportedly inserted a secret break clause in Verstappen’s revised contract that would allow him to part ways before 2028. That opened the door for Mercedes and Aston Martin to proceed with their interest, but the 26-year-old has played down his chances of leaving.
“I think there’s every reason to be happy,” Verstappen said in Melbourne. “The car is going really well. There’s so many great people in the team that are constantly pushing for better results.
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“That’s what I focus on. I focus on the performance, I’m happy, and when I go home I don’t think about any other thing because it’s pretty fixed where I am. And that’s also where I want to be.”
Verstappen will be less impressed with the performance of his car in Australia, however, having retired early for the first time in two years due to a right rear brake issue that is being investigated by the team.
And rumours surrounding Verstappen’s future will continue until clarification is made over key figures within the Red Bull hierarchy.
His manager meeting with the team’s Thai bosses only fuels such speculation and will encourage Mercedes and Aston Martin to continue in their efforts to sign Verstappen.