Marko: Verstappen can meet with whoever he wants

Monday, 21 July 2025 at 08:00

Despite Christian Horner’s dismissal as Red Bull Team Principal, and speculation around Max Verstappen’s future continues, Helmut Marko believes the four-time Formula 1 World Champion will remain where he is.

Marko, Red Bull’s long-serving motorsport advisor, has now spoken publicly for the first time since the latest turbulence within the Milton Keynes outfit. Sharing his thoughts on the future of the team post-Horner with regards to Verstappen.

Speaking to OE24, Marko declined to comment on the Horner dismissal but addressed ongoing rumours surrounding Verstappen, including his reported meeting with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

Asked if he had spoken with Verstappen since Horner’s exit, Marko replied: “Max was informed, I don't want to say anything more about that.”

Regarding the alleged Ibiza meeting between Verstappen and Wolff, Marko remained unfazed: “Max can meet with whoever he wants. We have a valid contract [until 2028], and we assume Max will stay with us.”

Earlier during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Marko had also clarified that the widely speculated performance-related exit clause “does not currently apply.”

There are still 332 points available

British Grand Prix Qualifying Top Three Press Conference

Turning to Red Bull’s faltering 2025 F1 title defence, the 82-year-old refused to give up on Verstappen’s 2025 championship hopes despite McLaren’s recent dominance: “There are still 332 points available, which is a decent package. We hope the updates we're bringing to Spa and Budapest will have an impact.”

The upcoming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps includes a Sprint weekend, which Marko acknowledged could be a double-edged sword.

“Yes and no,” he said. “On the one hand, there are more points up for grabs, but on the other hand, two practice sessions are cancelled. We can’t afford a disaster Friday practice and then get the car into the right tire window. Everything has to be right from the start.”

Pressed on whether failure to beat McLaren at Spa-Francorchamps this coming weekend would end Verstappen’s title hopes, Marko was realistic: “That’s to be expected.”

Currently, Verstappen is P3 in the 2025 F1 standings after 12 of 24 rounds but trails McLaren's Oscar Piastri, the leader at the halfway mark, by 69 points, and 61 points down on Lando Norris in P2. Red Bull are P4 in the Constructors standings.