Helmut Marko blames Toto Wolff for fuelling exit rumours about Max Verstappen and his Red Bull contract clause. Helmut Marko accused Toto Wolff of fuelling speculation about Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract exit clause..

The background story
There was a long period of tension and uncertainty, but in the end, the situation seems to have stabilised—after a storm came calm. Red Bull Racing went through a major internal crisis, culminating in the controversial dismissal of team principal Christian Horner, the influential figure who guided the former Jaguar Racing team to an astonishing 14 world titles under the Red Bull banner. Despite this internal upheaval, Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, has decided to remain with the Anglo-Austrian team for the 2026 season—at the very least.

This development all but confirms that George Russell will continue with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team beyond 2025, likely securing a multi-year contract extension with the German manufacturer.

Helmut Marko, speaking to Austrian outlet Krone, expressed the view that Toto Wolff had actively contributed to the rising tension surrounding Max Verstappen’s future. Marko believes that Wolff repeatedly stoked rumours about the Dutch driver’s possible exit, exploiting the fact that Verstappen’s contract included a performance-related release clause.

“Everyone thought they knew better than we did how the exit clause was structured,” Marko said. “A lot of this speculation was fuelled by Toto Wolff. But in my view, it was always clear that Max Verstappen had no reason to leave Red Bull for 2026. It would make no sense. Nobody knows which team will have the best power unit or chassis in the new era. There are many variables where things could go wrong. It will be a reset year for everyone.”

George Russell himself had recently commented that Max Verstappen’s best strategic move would be to wait until 2026 plays out, then assess the competitive landscape before making any potential team switch for 2027.

Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing’s focus will be on continuing to prove their worth and earning the full trust of Verstappen again—something that may not be guaranteed given the internal issues the team has faced over the past year.

With Formula 1 heading into a major regulatory overhaul in 2026—new engines, revised chassis designs, and aerodynamic changes—it is still impossible to predict which team will come out on top. Red Bull’s aim is to maintain their dominance and prove to Max Verstappen that staying with the team remains the best path forward for his career.