Marko clarifies Verstappen's future at Red Bull
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Helmut Marko expects Max Verstappen to stay with Red Bull Racing for now. After all, the team has the best car. Yet the Austrian also believes that the team's big lead is mainly due to the driver and that the Dutchman could be successful with another team.
The turmoil at Red Bull Racing left a question hanging over the market as to whether Verstappen wants to stay with the team beyond 2024. "He always wants to be in the fastest car and that's Max in the Red Bull. That is an unbeatable combination, but if you put Max in a Ferrari, the world looks very different. The 20-second lead he has over Checo is because of his superior driving style," Marko told OE24.
Will Verstappen leave Red Bull Racing?
With that, Marko does not really answer the question of whether Max Verstappen will stay at Red Bull, so the question is asked again. Marko replies: "Max will drive at the team that has the best car and he has that at Red Bull. There is nothing else on the horizon."
Verstappen himself has clearly laid out his demands. The Dutchman logically wants a fast car but also wants a peaceful and relaxed place to work. On Thursday, the three-time world champion already mentioned that he was glad it was a bit more about racing again.
Verstappen is also known to be keen on keeping key people at Red Bull Racing. Helmut Marko needs to stay at Red Bull to keep Verstappen happy, but so do more team members. Verstappen seems to have no reason to leave as long as that remains the case.