Marko on Mercedes-Verstappen rumours: 'Jos a bigger fan of Wolff than Horner'

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has stated Jos Verstappen, father of Max, is a “bigger fan of Toto Wolff' than Christian Horner.

Horner, who has been the team principal of Red Bull since its inception in the mid-2000s, was publicly criticised by Jos Verstappen earlier this year.

It sparked suggestions that Max Verstappen could seek an exit from the squad amid the intra-team power struggle that occurred shortly after the start of the campaign.

Mercedes team boss Wolff has been vocal in his pursuit of Verstappen's signature, but has conceded he will not obtain the Dutchman's services for 2025.

“He wouldn't be a good team principal if he wouldn't try to get Max,” Marko told the Inside Line podcast. “I think every top team would like to have Max.

“The other story [of a meeting between Wolff and Verstappen's camp], all the people live in Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo, when it’s not the grand prix, it’s quite a quiet place. There are not so many coffee shops.

“So it's just natural that you run into each other, and of course, Toto makes a story out of it.

“On the other hand, Jos is a bigger fan of Toto than he is of Christian.”

Marko hopeful Verstappen rumours will 'stop'

At every team, the focus is already looking to 2026 when a new set of technical regulations will come into play.

Marko has asserted it is up to Red Bull to convince Verstappen it can continue to win in the coming years if it wishes to retain the Dutchman.

“Every contract with a top F1 driver has exit clauses which are mainly based on performance,” Marko said.

“At the moment, Max is focused on winning the championship, as a team is focused on winning the championship, and we have to look forward. 2026, there are new rules coming.

“Nobody knows at the moment who will have a competitive engine. [Look] what happened in 2014 when all of a sudden the engine we used was at least 50 horsepower or more behind and was not reliable, you really don't know what will happen

“But at the moment, everything is clear. Max will drive for Red Bull Racing next season, and we have to give him a car that he can win, and then all these rumours will stop.”