The Formula 1 world is not a stranger to drama and speculation, but the recent unrest around Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing has set the Paddock on fire. According to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, the source of these chaos is none other than Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. In a series of statements to the Austrian newspaperKronen ZeitungMarko Wolff accused of having trusted the rumor mill around Verstappen’s future, which led to a crisis within Red Bull Racing. This situation, which emerged from speculation about a possible switch from Verstappen to Mercedes, has not only disrupted the dynamics within the team, but also put pressure on the focus of the four -time world champion.
The core of the conflict lies in the escape clause in Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull, which runs until 2028. This clause would enable Verstappen to leave the team if certain performance goals were not achieved, such as a top-three position in the driver break during the summer break. Toto Wolff, always looking for ways to strengthen Mercedes, saw an opportunity. He openly spoke in the media about the possibility of contracting Verstappen, which, according to Marko, fed the speculations and caused unrest within Red Bull. “That fire was lit by Toto,” said Marko, who emphasized that Wolff consciously destabilized the situation by responding to the alleged weakness of Red Bull in the 2025 season.
The 2025 season was indeed a challenge for Red Bull. After years of dominance, the team was struggling with a disappointing RB21 car, which was even slower on some circuits than that of competitors such as McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes. The Bahrain Grand Prix was a low point, where Verstappen was only sixth and almost a second per round was slower than racing winner Oscar Piastri. These disappointing performance reinforced the speculations about Verstappen’s future, especially because Wolff continued to hint on a possible switch. According to Marko, everyone outside of Red Bull thought he knows better how the escape clause worked, which only made the situation worse. “Everyone thought they knew better than we do,” he said annoyed.
Nevertheless, Verstappen remained loyal to Red Bull, a decision that described Marko as “the only sensible choice”. He pointed out that a switch in 2026, with the introduction of new motor regulations, would be a high risk. “Nobody knows who will have the best motorcycle or chassis,” Marko explained. “It would be unwise to change teams now.” Verstappen himself confirmed after the Grand Prix of Belgium that he will ride for Red Bull in 2026, ending the speculations for the short term. This was a relief for the team, which struggled with internal problems, including the controversial resignation of team boss Christian Horner.
The role of Toto Wolff in this Saga cannot be underestimated. His public statements and behind-the-screens conversations with Verstappen and his management, including father Jos Verstappen, kept the rumors alive. Although Wolff later admitted that he focuses on his current drivers, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, he kept the door a crack for Verstappen in the future. This type of strategic communication is characteristic of Wolff, who is known to put pressure on his ability to play the media and put pressure on rivals. For Red Bull, however, this was a source of frustration, especially because the team was already struggling with technical and organizational challenges.
The crisis at Red Bull was further exacerbated by internal struggles. Horner’s resignation, who was seen by the management of Red Bull GmbH as responsible for the team’s relapse, caused extra unrest. His successor, Laurent Mekies, was given the task of getting the team back on track, but the continuous speculation about Verstappen’s future did not make this easier. Marko emphasized that the focus is now on improving the car and restoring competitiveness, something that is essential to keep Verstappen satisfied.
For Verstappen itself, the peace seems to have returned for the time being. His loyalty to Red Bull, which has been supporting him since his debut in 2015, reflects his pragmatic approach. But the Saga Rond Toto Wolff and the escape clause has shown how vulnerable even a top team like Red Bull can be for external influences. While Formula 1 is preparing for the Grand Prix of the Netherlands, the question lingers: Will Wolff try again in the future to seduce Verstappen? For now, Red Bull seems to have endured the storm, but in the fast world of Formula 1 nothing is ever certain.
