Marko Believes Verstappen May Quit Formula 1 Amid FIA Dispute
Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has expressed concerns that Dutch driver Max Verstappen might leave Formula 1 due to an ongoing conflict with the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
In September, Verstappen received a fine for using profane language during a press conference. The FIA mandated that the Red Bull driver engage in community service activities benefiting the federation, a decision Verstappen publicly criticized.
"Max must be taken seriously; he has achieved a lot. It's important for him to enjoy and take pleasure in this sport. If the conflict escalates, Max will stop loving Formula 1. He will say, 'Alright, that's it,' and he will indeed leave. However, I hope that the current situation does not force him into an early retirement. There are double standards. The most important thing is that when Max swore, he wasn't referring to a person but to a machine, an object, and he did it flippantly. I understand it happened at a daytime press conference, but if everything is judged this strictly, it will only lead to more problems in the future. These measures are clearly excessive," Racingnews365 quotes Marko as saying.
After 18 rounds in the Formula 1 season, Verstappen leads the championship standings with 331 points. His contract with Red Bull runs until the end of 2028.
