Helmut Marko performs u-turn on Max Verstappen exit fear

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has softened his fears over Max Verstappen's exit from the team at the end of the current campaign. Verstappen has long been linked with a departure from the Red Bull squad, rumours that intensified amid its slip down the pecking order midway through last season. Despite McLaren's strong start to the ongoing campaign, Verstappen has kept himself in championship contention against Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri across the opening six races. Having voiced concern earlier in the year that Verstappen could opt to leave the team, Marko asserted the alarm has cooled.  “That's true, but they [the fears] have already shrunk,” Marko told Bild . “Max is loyal and subsequently publicly committed to Red Bull. That fits with how I see him now.  “He's fully focused on his job here. That's why I don't think he's even considering a change. Quite the opposite. I'm convinced Max will continue to compete for Red Bull in 2026.” Marko also revealed details about an exit clause in Verstappen's contract earlier this year, suggesting it could become a topic of coversation around the summber break. However, the Austrian does not believe Verstappen's future with the team solely rests on title success this year. “Before the season, we talked about our expectations for 2025,” he said.  “Everyone – including Max – agreed that defending the title is obviously the goal, but we can't assume that we'll succeed.  “We'll do everything we can, but no one can expect us to win every time. We have to take home the maximum number of points possible.”