Marko drops Verstappen bombshell despite Red Bull contract

Helmut Marko has been unable to give a firm commitment as to whether Max Verstappen will be at Red Bull in 2026. 

The three-time world champion has a contract with the team until 2028, but speculation about his long-term future has been rife this year following the power struggle at the team earlier this season and now Red Bull's alarming slump in competitiveness.

After winning seven of the first 10 races, Verstappen has not taken the chequered flag in any of the six grands prix since, which have only included two podiums. 

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been trying to lure Verstappen to Brackley as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, although he eventually opted for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, but kept the door open for the Dutchman in 2026.

Verstappen has hinted at times that he could even walk away from F1 before the expiration of his contract given he is unhappy at various aspects of F1, but had previously declared he would be at the team for 2025.

Marko confirmed this, but tellingly, was unable to give a firm commitment over Verstappen for 2026.

"Next year he'll be driving for Red Bull Racing," Marko told OE24 when asked if Verstappen would be in the team for 2025 and 2026.

"[But 2026] is so far away, and for now our full focus is on the 2024 world championship."

McLaren's Lando Norris has chipped away at Verstappen's lead in the drivers' title race, which now stands at 62 points.

In the constructors' championship, however, Red Bull is in danger of being usurped at the top of the standings for the first time since the 2022 Spanish GP.

Marko can only hope Verstappen returns to winning ways soon, and that Sergio Perez can at least play his part. The Mexican has not finished on the podium since the fifth race of the year in China. 

"The lead in the constructors' has dwindled to eight points, but we don't have to write off the title just yet," Marko wrote in his Speedweek column.

"Because if Max starts to win again, and Checo finishes between third and fifth place, it will be enough to successfully defend the title."