Verstappen's future at Red Bull uncertain? 'We have to deliver now'
F1 News
Max Verstappen is still under contract with Red Bull Racing until the end of 2028, but the question remains whether the four-time World Champion will fully serve that contract with the Austrian team. Red Bull's advisor Helmut Marko is not worried about losing his Dutch driver in the near future.
At Formula 1 's season opener in Melbourne, Verstappen finished in second place behind McLaren driver Lando Norris. The reigning World Champion came close to overtaking his British rival but fell just short at the finish. Marko remains optimistic for the season, saying to Sport Bild, "McLaren is the towering favourite for the world title, but the gap with Red Bull and Ferrari is not as big as we thought during the test days. We are a stone's throw away."
Marko remains convinced that Verstappen is the best driver on the current grid. "When it comes purely to driving ability, there is no one who can match Max. He is in a class of his own," he concluded. "It is up to us to give him a car with which he can become world champion."
Marko remains calm: 'Verstappen knows what he has to offer us'
To ensure that Verstappen stays with Red Bull Racing in the coming years, a competitive car is crucial, according to Marko. Aston Martin in particular, which is fully focused on 2026 with the arrival of Adrian Newey and Honda as a manufacturer, is said to be interested in the four-time World Champion.
An escape clause would allow the 27 year old driver to leave the team if he can no longer compete for wins. When asked about their leader's future with his team, Marko remained calm. "We are not worried. Max knows what he has on us, but we have to deliver now," he emphasised. Red Bull has planned the first upgrades for the Japanese Grand Prix in early April. By then, problem areas, such as excessive tyre wear, should be addressed to bring Verstappen closer to his fifth consecutive world title.
This article has been created in collaboration with Mitchel van der Hoef.
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