Marko understands Wolff's pursuit of Verstappen: 'He is a guarantee of success'

It has been clear for a while that Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff will do everything in his power to bring in Max Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton's replacement. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has previously stated that he is one hundred per cent sure McLaren will continue with Verstappen for 2025. Advisor Dr Helmut Marko understands why Wolff hasn't given up his pursuit.

Things are rumbling internally at Red Bull. There is still an internal battle going on and that seems to be increasingly affecting the top team. But according to Marko, Verstappen is not letting this drive him crazy. "He is dealing with it sovereignly," Marko reveals to F1-Insider. "If necessary, he retreats to his motorhome and lives in his own world. But it also became clear to him that the team had to stay together if they wanted to remain successful, and he made that clear."

It is no longer a secret that Wolff is doing everything he can behind the scenes to loosen Red Bull's grip. Horner reacted irritably to this in media reports, but Marko understands why Verstappen is such a wanted man. "This is fairly normal. Max is a guarantee of success, he makes the difference par excellence. Also, he would have won races this season in a Ferrari, Mercedes or McLaren. If we didn't have him under contract yet, we would try to get him too," said the Red Bull advisor.