Red Bull received “special” treatment at the F1 show. In London, at the O2 Arena, boos were directed at the Austrian team’s principal, as well as at Verstappen’s indifferent and often borderline behavior. The Milton Keynes team likely does not deserve such treatment. After all, we are talking about a group that has never given up and has carried out an incredibly challenging racing campaign with utmost seriousness. However, the personal affairs of the “space boy” weigh heavily.
They have not been forgotten. The same goes for Max’s bold attitude. In his battle with Lando Norris for the drivers’ championship, every time he fought on track with the Briton, his driving was aggressive and questionable. He has already been penalized for this. What stands out, however, is the attitude of the British crowd, traditionally seen as more “gentlemanly” compared to the Italian one. Well, ladies and gentlemen, if proof was ever needed, the other night demonstrated that people are the same everywhere, and even in England, they can be crude. End of story.
Aside from these considerations, there are other interesting topics regarding Red Bull. First, the level of competitiveness the team will be able to bring to the upcoming season. Second, the driver market, with persistent rumors that the Hasselt-born talent might leave his team. A team that nurtured him and gave him the opportunity to become an F1 world champion. But let’s go step by step to avoid confusion. Does Max Verstappen have a valid contract that will be honored?
Red Bull, Verstappen’s Release Clause: Max? Stronger than the New Regulations
In today’s F1, contracts binding professionals to teams are drafted by lawyers. This is inevitable when millions of euros are at stake. Regarding Max’s agreement with Red Bull, after the latest renewal, several clauses were added. The most debated one concerns car performance. Apparently, depending on how competitive the car is, Max will have the option to terminate his contract in the near future.
Helmut Marko himself has spoken about this. The cheerful octogenarian, consultant, and manager of the multi-championship-winning team, is looking ahead to the new regulatory framework, where the impact of the power unit will be significantly high. Red Bull Powertrains is reportedly struggling, failing to meet planned deadlines due to various issues that have delayed research and production of the power units. There is a certain level of concern—there’s no denying it. However, the Austrian from Graz believes Max Verstappen should remain calm.
The reason is simple: a two-tenths performance gap is “easily” manageable for the Dutch ace. Furthermore, he argues that Red Bull is not genuinely disadvantaged by the 2026 regulatory revolution. He claims that it’s mere speculation aimed at undermining the team. We disagree, as we have received internal and verified information. That said, it is worth considering the team’s approach for 2025, where the goal remains unchanged: to continue winning and secure a fifth world title with Max.
Red Bull RB21: Max Verstappen Wants His Fifth World Title
The Italian media has also gathered further insights regarding the RB21’s performance. Without a doubt, we must wait for the Sakhir tests next week, starting Wednesday. A crucial three-day session that will provide the first relevant feedback on the Austrian car’s competitiveness. However, we can say that the team is quite satisfied with the work done. Analyzing the data from within the factory, the new car seems to be living up to expectations. The adjustments made are working well in the simulator, pending validation on the track
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