Helmut Marko has dismissed rumours that his impending departure from Red Bull could prompt Max Verstappen to move to another team on the Formula 1 grid.
Earlier this week, Red Bull announced Marko’s two-decade association with the organisation will come to an end as he’ll vacate his role as an advisor to the team.
When speculation had arisen about the Austrian’s place during 2024, Verstappen had been on record as stating that he considered it integral that Marko remained.
But while his call to step aside has triggered question marks over Verstappen’s prospects, Marko has signalled that the Dutchman will not follow him out the door.
“No. Max not only wants to succeed, but he wants to succeed in a harmonious environment,” Marko addressed.
Marko explained that Verstappen values stability as much as winning. A toxic environment would push him away, but Red Bull still offers the harmony that he desires.
“When he doesn’t have that anymore, he stops from one day to the next. But he is still far too young for that,” he added.
Marko admits Verstappen ‘a little sad’ about his departure
Despite being a somewhat divisive figure, Marko held a pivotal role in Verstappen’s own career, having been the one who battled to give him an F1 seat at only 17.
Marko admitted that Verstappen, who has since gone on to achieve 71 race wins and four successive Drivers’ titles, was disappointed to hear that he is departing.
“I would say that he was already a little sad about it,” Marko expressed. “We once again reviewed the incredible time together.”
Marko also revealed how few at Red Bull believed in Verstappen’s title chances in 2025, which saw him come up two points short versus McLaren’s Lando Norris.
“I was the first this season and then, together with Gianpiero Lambiase, also the only one within the team who still believed in this World Championship title,” he said.
“We were there with great enthusiasm and commitment, and that is why it was a huge disappointment when it did not work.”
“Out of this disappointment, the decision has matured that now is a good time to stop.”
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