There will be no Red Bull bonus payouts for team employees amid Max Verstappen’s fourth F1 title.
Verstappen’s fourth consecutive F1 championship title triumph at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix has been overshadowed by a wave of disappointment among Red Bull Racing employees regarding bonus payouts.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix which was held last weekend marked a huge milestone for the Dutchman as he clinched the title despite finishing fifth in the race.
However, this achievement has not translated into financial rewards for the team’s staff, who are left feeling disheartened due to the team’s current standing in the Constructors’ Championship.
The Red Bull bonuses are contingent upon the team’s performance in the Constructors’ Championship, where they currently sit third behind Ferrari and McLaren with only two races remaining.
Verstappen finished fifth in Saturday night’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, earning 10 points while his teammate Sergio Perez also finished in the points as he placed 10th but it was not enough to improve Red Bull’s position in the 2024 constructor standings
The team’s Technical Advisor Helmut Marko openly acknowledged the dissatisfaction among employees during an interview stating that while Verstappen’s individual success is commendable, it does not guarantee Red Bull bonuses for the team members.
“Max is more than 200 points ahead of Sergio in the driver standings,” Marko said. “For now the main thing was to win the Championship for Max but for our employees it is a disappointment because they will not receive their bonuses, as they depend on our position in the Constructors’ Championship.”
In 2023, Red Bull won the Constructors’ Championship as Verstappen enjoyed a record-breaking season with 19 wins out of 23 races, earning him an impressive €81 million. This figure included substantial bonuses tied to his performance.
In contrast, the 2024 season has seen a marked decline in his race wins—only eight so far—which has led to a significant reduction in his projected earnings for the year.
Estimates suggest that Verstappen could earn around €67 million in 2024, primarily due to lower Red Bull bonus payouts associated with his fewer victories.
