MX23RW : Tuesday, April 16 08:08:13| >> :120:83468:83468:

Red Bull's F1 contracts 'suffocating' drivers

Red Bull's F1 contracts 'suffocating' drivers
© Reuters
Red Bull has a "problem" with the way it binds drivers to their Formula 1 contracts.

Red Bull has a "problem" with the way it binds drivers to their Formula 1 contracts.

That is the view of former F1 driver Christijan Albers, who says there is only one Red Bull racer with a truly advantageous contract - Max Verstappen.

In past years, Red Bull has struggled with a high turnover of drivers - especially the ones who occupy the garage alongside the Dutch title leader.

"The problem is the suffocating Red Bull contracts for the drivers," Albers told De Telegraaf.

"The only one who does not have such an agreement is Max Verstappen, but the rest have serious problems - they simply can't go somewhere else. For that, you need Uncle Marko."

Albers says Red Bull binds young drivers to very long contracts that give Red Bull the freedom to shuffle them between Red Bull Racing and Alpha Tauri - and block them from leaving.

A key example, he says, is Pierre Gasly, who is openly upset about being dropped by the senior team and now locked into his place at Alpha Tauri.

"If you look at Gasly's performances, and his life outside of Formula 1, you can see his disappointment," said Albers.

"With all due respect, Pierre feels that Red Bull cheated him. And I agree that their attitude towards the drivers is very disrespectful."

Another example, according to Albers, is Daniil Kvyat.

"The guy was on the podium and then kicked out the following race," said the former Minardi driver. "Let's be honest - that doesn't make any sense.

"This is all Helmut Marko, but maybe they're learning from their mistakes. They have stopped putting pressure on Alexander Albon, they're not putting pressure on Perez, so they do learn.

"But it's still Dr Marko's old-fashioned Austrian style. They don't do it to Max though. Then they would have problems with Jos," Albers smiled.

ID:467350:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect2614:

Click here for more stories about Helmut Marko

Click here for more stories about Red Bull

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Valtteri Bottas pictured during the Italian Grand Prix on September 10, 2021
Read Next:
Hamilton fastest in Turkey qualifying, Bottas on pole
>
rhs 2.0


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!