Helmut Marko sensationally backtracks over Max Verstappen exit fear

Helmut Marko has backtracked over his "great concern" that Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull - if the team can provide a world-championship winning car.

Red Bull's form has slumped since mid-2024 with the RB21 at least the fourth-fastest car on the grid, although Verstappen did pull off a stunning win in Japan, defeating McLaren.

However, in Bahrain, Verstappen was only sixth as he battled car problems all weekend, leading to Marko to claim he had a "great concern" that the Dutchman could leave the team before his contract expires in 2028.

However, the Austrian now believes Verstappen will stay - but only if Red Bull meets one condition.

"I've said it many times, Max's primary goal is the world championship, and if we give him the car he needs for that, the question of a move won't even arise," Marko told Kleine Zeitung. 

"Bahrain hurt, falling from victory [in Japan] to a midfield position was obviously not the plan, and the car lacks balance, which causes the tyres to overheat, and one thing follows another.

"The races in Jeddah and Miami will be really difficult for us, and if we want to stay in the title fight, we have to achieve a podium finish in the next three races."