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'Verstappen must win world title in 2024, otherwise he will leave'
Eddie Jordan is expecting the 2024 title race to have serious implications on Max Verstappen's future. If the Dutchman wins his fourth drivers title, wins the driver's title, Red Bull will be elated. Former team owner Jordan, however, fears for the Milton Keynes-based squad if Max Verstappen doesn't win the title.
Max Verstappen still has a long-term contract With Red Bull Racing. It would keep him as a part of the team he joined in 2016 until 2028. However, will the Dutchman even serve his whole contract? Verstappen has been open to the idea of retiring when he's ready. Most recently, after the swearing controversy in Singapore, he mentioned that issues with the FIA don't make him want to stick around. There are clauses in the Dutchman's contract which would allow him to leave earlier. Eddie Jordan, former team owner of Jordan F1, thinks that the final six races in 2024 will be decisive for Verstappen's future.
Will Verstappen stay at Red Bull Racing?
''That car is still unbelievably quick, the Red Bull, and I still think that Max can win this championship. I'm absolutely convinced, but if they haven't found that tiny little mojo, that for sure it has disappeared temporarily. I hope for them, Red Bull has to find that,'' Jordan said in his podcast with former McLaren driver David Coulthard, Formula for Success.
''It's simple because it's playing with Max's head. Is Max going to stay there till 26 or 27? I don't know the answer to that. But if you're looking to make sure that he will, then you better find this little issue. I would say Max needs to win the championship this year, 24, to ensure that he's still there in 27.'' The Irishman concluded.
Red Bull's chief advisor, Helmut Marko, reiterated in a recent interview that there are clauses in Max Verstappen's contract allowing him to leave Red Bull Racing earlier than the end of his contract. The Austrian believes that the performance of the car, alongside the general feeling with the team, are valid reasons for Verstappen to leave. His father, Jos, has publically admitted he's not the biggest fan of Red Bull's team boss, Christian Horner. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff also relentlessly pursued the Dutchman over the summer, and the door stays open for him at Mercedes.
This article was written in collaboration with Tim Kraaij
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