Verstappen's Red Bull departure clause expires

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that the departure clause in Max Verstappen’s contract which could allow him to leave the team early expired on the Sunday of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

As part of Verstappen’s new deal with the team, a performance-based clause was inserted due to Red Bull starting a new relationship with Honda which would see them become a customer of the Japanese manufacturer.

If, for whatever reason, Honda’s engines were not up to standard, Verstappen would have the chance to exit his deal prematurely.

Marko claims that clause is no longer legitimate.

“It’s over on Sunday,” Marko told motorsport-magazin.com after the Hungarian GP.

“The clause exists, and we have deliberately accepted, because it’s the first year with Honda, and there’s been so much speculation about negative results.”

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Even though the clause was in place at one stage, Marko didn’t have any fears that Red Bull, Honda, and Verstappen wouldn’t continue working together.

"Having the clause was normal, as we had a new engine supplier," the Austrian added.

"And of course, performance is important.

"That's nice [to put the uncertainty of the clause behind us], but within the team we had already agreed that we should continue,"

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