Helmut Marko offers 'joker' services to Max Verstappen after Red Bull exit

Helmut Marko has stated his lines are open to Max Verstappen despite the pair no longer having a working relationship at Red Bull.

The Milton Keynes-based squad announced last week that Marko would not return to the team in 2026, ending his 20-year stint in a senior position.

Marko oversaw the Red Bull driver programme and was a key figure in bringing four-time champion Verstappen to the team.

Following Marko's news, Verstappen took to social media and thanked the 82-year-old for his contributions.

When asked if he will still offer his services to Verstappen as a 'phone a friend joker', Marko told ServusTV: “Of course I will. 

“But Max Verstappen is a four-time world champion and has, in the meantime, matured into one of the best drivers in the world. 

“He doesn’t need me anymore. He knows so much himself and has developed such incredible knowledge and such incredible skill. And I believe we will see further great feats from him.”

Red Bull will enter a new era next year as the sport restructures under fresh technical regulations.

The energy drink-backed squad is producing its own power unit for the first time, which Marko has admitted comes with its own dangers.

“There are new engine regulations, there are new chassis regulations, and Red Bull is making its own engine for the first time in history,” he said.

“That's a huge step, and of course it has risks. But that was also a motto between [Dietrich] Mateschitz and me: 'No risk, no fun'. 

“But this fun is also very expensive, developing these engines, and of course things can go wrong, although so far everything has been positive.”