Possible Verstappen exit discussed: 'Couldn't see myself doing it"
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'If Helmut Marko has to leave Red Bull, then I'll leave too'. They were Max Verstappen's words during the Grand Prix weekend in Saudi Arabia. Jack Doohan was confronted with those words in the F1 Nation Podcast. How would the Alpine junior - competing in Formula 2 - feel about it himself if this happened to him?
Verstappen is loyal to Marko, has been for years and will remain so for years to come. Last weekend, the 80-year-old Austrian indicated that he might be suspended by Red Bull GmbH. In response, Verstappen indicated that he would link his fate to Marko's. Whether the Austrian can giant's headquarters was shocked by that or not; in the end, Marko was not suspended "after a good conversation".
Doohan on words Verstappen
Leaving after three (and after this season possibly four) consecutive world titles is something you don't do lightly. But if nothing else, the 26-year-old Verstappen will leave Red Bull. Doohan does not know if he would do that himself. "I couldn't see myself doing it."
"They've been able to do it at the tail end of that the regulation before this new car, in 2021 really kicking that off. Into now this 2022 to 2026 period you come in with a strong car like they did, you almost as long as you keep that flow and that movement going you almost guarantee yourself four world championships right there. So it's looking like next year for sure, they're not going to lose a hatful pace."
Doohan would never trade a seat at a Red Bull in this form. "So maybe in his position it's a bit different, three maybe four world titles down the line he's like “hey, I want to go do this in a new car, in a new project”, but not me."