Jun.26 (GMM) Dr Helmut Marko will not as earlier expected attend Red Bull’s home Formula 1 race this weekend, amid reports he is avoiding an awkward reunion with the team’s current leadership.
Germany’s Bild newspaper claims the 83-year-old, who retired as Red Bull’s long-time motorsport adviser at the end of last year, chose to stay away from the Austrian GP to “avoid confrontation” with the senior executives who are rumoured to have forced him out.
The newspaper also says Red Bull’s key decision-makers are gathering at the Red Bull Ring not only for the home race, but also for fresh talks aimed at convincing Max Verstappen to commit his long-term future to the team.
It follows reports that Red Bull wants to buy out the exit clause in Verstappen’s contract.
Marko admitted discussions are inevitable.
“For him, competitiveness is always paramount,” he told Kleine Zeitung.
“All top drivers have performance-oriented clauses in their contracts. In this respect, discussions are likely to take place at this time.
“The best thing would be if they could reach an agreement again soon.”
Verstappen had expected to see his former mentor in Spielberg.
“I thought he was, but now I have heard that he will not,” the Dutchman said.
“You go through so much together. The fact that he isn’t here now feels a bit different, of course. But on the other hand, I still have a lot of contact with him and we talk a lot.
“I mainly look back on the great time we spent together. On what we achieved together, rather than focusing on the fact that he isn’t here now.
“They are simply great memories and it was a great time. It doesn’t feel very strange either, because we still call each other regularly. We talk about all sorts of things in life, not just about racing anymore.”
The timing is significant, with Red Bull introducing its biggest upgrade package of the season as it tries to close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari.
“It’s simply crucial for us as a team,” Verstappen said.
“That’s been good, but of course, those are the easiest steps to take,” he said of the earlier upgrade. “When you’re way behind… But the hardest step is always the last one, the one that allows you to really fight for the win.”
Asked how long he is prepared to wait for Red Bull to return to the front, amid fresh speculation linking him with a seat swap involving Oscar Piastri at McLaren, Verstappen replied: “We’ll see, right?
“It’s difficult to answer that right now. We don’t like being the fourth-best team, so we want to improve. That’s what we’re working hard on right now.”
Auto Motor und Sport suggested Verstappen might rather have spent the weekend following his GT3 team’s attempt to win the Spa 24 Hours than racing in Formula 1 under the current regulations.
“I want to follow as much of the race as possible,” Verstappen admitted.
“Of course, I’d also like to compete. I’ve already mentioned that there shouldn’t be any overlap next year.”
Meanwhile, with temperatures soaring in Austria, the FIA has activated its heat protocol, allowing drivers to use the controversial cooling vest.
Verstappen will not.
“It’s hot, so what?” he insisted.
“These cars aren’t very physically demanding. I’ll put on a cooling vest before the race, and that should be enough. I’ve had races in the heat before, and it was hot here in Austria a year ago, too.”
