Marko: Verstappen's salary already close to our limit

Max Verstappen is currently under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2023 F1 season. After winning the 2021 Drivers' F1 Crown in Abu Dhabi's season finale, the Dutchman told his team over the radio: "Can we do this for another 10-15 years together?"

Its seems that Red Bull are keen to take their newly crowned champion up on his offer, with Helmut Marko telling AutoRevue: "We will be holding talks with Max in the next few weeks.

"His manager [Raymond Vermeulen] was difficult to talk to because his son was at the 24-hour race in Dubai together with Jos [Verstappen]," the Austrian explained.

Red Bull are known for not being the highest payers in F1, and their consultant hinted during the interview that they are close to the limit of what they can offer Verstappen in terms of salary.

"With Verstappen, we're already close to the limit. At some point, that's the end," he pointed out.

Marko isn't having any sleepless nights worrying if Verstappen might find the grass greener on the Mercedes side of the fence, especially after the incidents of Silverstone 2021, where he crashed heavily at Copse corner after his 'entanglement' with Hamilton.

"I don't think Max will go then. I believe that the events at Silverstone made him less inclined to change sides. And it can't get much more expensive than that!" Marko said, referring to how offended Verstappen felt as he watched Mercedes and Hamilton celebrate their win from his hospital bed.

The 78-year-old also appreciates Verstappen's loyalty and faith in the team, as he stuck around even when the team was not winning.

"Even though we saw that we certainly weren't going to win a World Championship with the Renault engine, he stood by the team," he appreciated.

"We always told him openly what our plans were when we started working with Honda. He is also informed about other developments.

"That's why I believe his statements that he feels very comfortable with us," Marko confidently concluded.