JULY 17, 2026

Big money will keep Verstappen in F1 says Marko

Max Verstappen again refused to clarify his Formula 1 future at Spa on Thursday, as the retired Dr Helmut Marko continued to play down speculation surrounding their recent meeting in Amsterdam.

The quadruple world champion has been heavily linked with McLaren in recent weeks, while reports have suggested relations with Red Bull have deteriorated following Silverstone.

Asked directly in the FIA press conference if he will still be at Red Bull in 2027, Verstappen refused to commit.

Ok, I don't want to go here and say yes and no, and this and that, about my future, he said.

Later, when Dutch reporters again tried to revisit the subject, Verstappen shut the conversation down.

I'm not going to say anything about that anyway, he said.

Meanwhile, retired Red Bull adviser Marko again dismissed suggestions his Amsterdam meeting with Jos Verstappen and manager Raymond Vermeulen was linked to the saga.

Unbelievable, all this fuss, considering I visit the Verstappens once every year, he told Austria's Kronen Zeitung.

He added with a smile: Jos is simply a really big name in the Netherlands - and perhaps I am too.

Marko also played down the significance of Verstappen's widely discussed performance-related exit clause. Such provisions are in every contract, he said.

But of course you can also talk about it.

Despite Verstappen's repeated criticism of Formula 1's current regulations, Marko does not expect him to leave the sport.

The real racing with a V8 engine should start in 2030 or 2031, he said. "Until then, Max has to hold on.

The big money is in Formula 1. That is why I assume that we will see Max still in the top category after his contract with Red Bull expired in 2028.

Ironically, amid the McLaren rumours, Verstappen also confirmed a new collaboration between his Verstappen.com Racing program and McLaren junior Dries Van Langendonck.

I think it's just very exciting to try and help him and guide him, of course hand in hand with McLaren's side as well, to make the right decisions for his future, Verstappen said.

The development comes as Oscar Piastri continues to be linked with a possible Red Bull switch if Verstappen were to join McLaren.

It is clear that Max feels that he is not currently in a great position and explores the options, Piastri said.

That was the case with him and Mercedes last year, so this is nothing new. I trust in what Zak (Brown) and Andrea (Stella) have said to me and the belief in me as well.

Asked whether Verstappen's situation concerns him, Piastri replied: "I don't know. It's important for people to know what the situation is and what the driver market looks like.

So it's good to gather information.

Meanwhile, Haas' Oliver Bearman also addressed reports linking him with Verstappen's Red Bull seat. It's great to hear stories like that, the Ferrari junior said.

Red Bull has achieved incredible success, so even the connection with the team, even if it's just rumours, is very nice.

(GMM)