Red Bull News: F1 pundit claims Verstappen could make shock Red Bull EXIT

Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Monaco, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

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F1 pundit claims Verstappen could make shock Red Bull EXIT

Could Max Verstappen leave Red Bull before his contract expires?

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Saturday 8 June 2024 04:00

A F1 pundit has suggested that Max Verstappen could make a shock exit from F1 after this season.

The Dutchman has earnt three back-to-back world titles with Red Bull, dominating the sport since the 2022 regulation changes.

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However, Red Bull have experienced instability off-track this year, including an investigation into team boss Christian Horner for ‘inappropriate behaviour’ towards a female colleague.

Horner has since been cleared of any wrongdoing, however the controversy has sparked an internal power struggle within the team.

Max Verstappen could win a fourth world title this year

Christian Horner was involved in an internal investigation earlier this year

Will Red Bull’s difficulties continue?

The departure of Adrian Newey has hinted all is not well at Red Bull, with some reports suggesting Verstappen is also considering leaving the team.

Sky Sports pundit Karun Chandhok has speculated about Verstappen’s future in Formula 1 in a recent article for the Intercooler.

“The controversial start to Red Bull’s season, very much an ongoing case between the complainant and Christian Horner, seems to have riled Max’s dad Jos Verstappen, de-stabilising the harmony between the Verstappen camp and Horner,” Chandhok wrote.

“This has led to plenty of speculation around Max’s future with the team.

Karun Chandhok suggests Verstappen may take a sabbatical

“While I don’t know whether Max will leave Red Bull for another team, he’s been open about his ambition to try other forms of the sport and not being around F1 forever. It is racing and driving he loves and it doesn’t have to be in F1.

“Clearly Max is performing at an incredible level and is young enough to take a break and come back strong if he wanted to.

“By the end of this year he’ll probably be a quadruple World Champion, and I wonder if he’s looking for a new challenge to re-discover his mojo and come back reinvigorated.”

Red Bull Max Verstappen F1 Christian Horner Adrian Newey Jos Verstappen