Verstappen vows to see out Red Bull contract despite off-track turmoil

AFP | Melbourne

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Three-time world champion Max Verstappen said yesterday he intends to see out his contract with Red Bull, insisting he was happy despite weeks of off-track turbulence.

The Dutchman is signed until 2028 but suggested at the last race in Saudi Arabia he would consider leaving if Red Bull parted company with long-time mentor Helmut Marko in a power struggle threatening to envelop the team.

It followed his father Jos claiming earlier this month that Red Bull faced being “torn apart” if team boss Christian Horner remained in his position.

Horner was accused of inappropriate conduct involving a woman colleague but he was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing ahead of the season-opener in Sakhir.

Asked at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne if he would honour his contract, Verstappen replied: “Of course, that is why I signed the contract in the first place. “For sure, with the deal in place, that is my intention, to be here until the end.

“It would a great story for me to see it out till the end because it would mean I’ve been part of one family and one team. “I always felt comfortable (in Red Bull) because for me it is like a second family, it’s good.”