The future of Max Verstappen is still in the air. Toto Wolff He already insisted last year to sign him mercedes for 2025 and even revealed that he met with the Dutchman in Monaco, but was met with a refusal by the driver, who will continue with Red Bull. Despite this, the Austrian insists that he will try again in 2026.
Here we must add the rumors about a possible clause in Verstappen’s contract where it is said that he can be released from his current relationship with the team if they do not give him a competitive car, something that could happen after the problems with which Ended the Dutchman’s car, behind cars like McLaren or Ferrari, which can start better in 2025, because this year’s cars will be a pure evolution of those from last year.
however, Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko, in statements to ‘Sport Bild’, is very confident about Max Verstappen’s continuation in 2026.and on the other hand, he is sure that the Milton Keynes team knows how to understand the weaknesses of last year’s car in order to correct them and have a better car this year, a car where Helmut believes Max will reclaim the crown.
“I’m not talking about the content of the contracts”he said when asked about the possible clause mentioned above. “But we are confident that we can give Max a good car no matter what. Our engineers have made great progress with the car’s data, so we are optimistic.”he added.
“Max has a contract with us until the end of 2028. I also know how loyal Verstappen is to Red Bull and how grateful he is to the team. That’s why he will still be a Red Bull driver in 2026, and he will be five. -time world champion.”He reasoned, confident in his student’s chances of winning the title again this year.
“Ferrari or McLaren? Their drivers don’t stand out”
Of course, Marko acknowledges that Ferrari and McLaren can start the year 2025 with a better car because they finished last year on a better base.
“Both teams (McLaren and Ferrari) had a better car base last season and performed well on most circuits. They can do that, but for me, none of their drivers stand out “. Neither Hamilton nor Leclerc with Ferrari, nor Norris nor Piastri with McLaren seem to him drivers who can make the difference that Max did with his Red Bull then in 2025 the Dutchman won the title with a worse car since sixth race against a McLaren that Lando Norris didn’t know how to take advantage of. Only time will tell if Marko is right or not.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
