Verstappen spoke to colleagues about stories of leaving Red Bull

Max Verstappen secured pole position for the third time in 2024. Besides that, the Dutchman could for once talk mostly about the racing, as the battle behind the scenes has subsided for now.

In Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Verstappen had to answer many questions about the saga behind the scenes. Christian Horner on one side and Red Bull Austria and Helmut Marko on the other fought each other's battles, leading to Verstappen being asked in Jeddah after qualifying how he viewed a suspension from Marko.

In Australia, the focus is back on racing as behind the scenes, there is a 'ceasefire'. Verstappen is, therefore, calm about it. "No, at the moment I don't think people are afraid of me leaving. Some people are a bit different. They read a lot. I don't, which generally helps. That's what I try to give those people. That they should just not read certain things. But they can always call me if they have any questions. And the other way round works the same," Verstappen told Dutch media in Melbourne.

Verstappen still has a contract with Red Bull Racing until 2028 and has repeatedly expressed his desire to serve out that contract. However, his most important wish must be granted: all people must stay in place, including Helmut Marko. Whether Christian Horner and Red Bull comply with this will have to be seen in the coming period.