Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has accused Toto Wolff of perpetuating the rumours of Max Verstappen‘s supposed talks with Formula 1 rivals Mercedes.
The Dutchman has eradicated all doubt about his future, committing to the Milton Keynes-based squad for another year.
Staying put has put to bed the continuing rumours throughout the summer that Verstappen had held talks with Mercedes about a potential move.
With George Russell confirming the four-time World Champion had opened talks with Wolff, speculation grew and swirled.
Hysteria was reached when it was revealed that both Verstappen and Wolff had moored their respective yachts in Sardinia, further fuelling the gossip.
But with Verstappen now firmly declaring his loyalty to Red Bull, Marko was quick to air his own unique take on the situation.
Citing the performance clause embedded in Verstappen’s contract, Marko told Kronen Zeitung, with a smile: “That was annoying in the end.
“Above all, everyone thought they knew better than us what the exit clause looked like.”
Verstappen to Mercedes rendered ‘nonsensical’
Marko took aim at his fellow Austrian Wolff, intimating that Verstappen leaving the team would have been a big risk, given F1’s impending regulation changes for next year.
“All of that was stirred up a bit by Toto,” he added. “But it was always clear to me, because it would have been nonsensical for Max to switch in 2026.
“Because it’s a blank slate: no one knows who has the best engine or the best chassis. There are many parameters where things can go wrong.”
Additional speculation has grown that Red Bull’s competitiveness is not guaranteed next year, due to its powertrain department’s nascent project with Ford.
Marko appeared to leave the door ajar for Verstappen to exit, suggesting he spends time with the team before making any firm decisions about where his future lies.
“If I were Verstappen, I would look at that first and then decide,” he concluded.
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