Helmut Marko Responds Calmly to Verstappen–Mercedes Rumours A… read more
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, where speculation and drama are constant companions, rumours of Max Verstappen meeting with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff have stirred the pot once again. With Verstappen still contracted to Red Bull Racing until the end of the 2028 season, the suggestion of a potential future switch has raised eyebrows throughout the paddock. But Red Bull’s senior advisor Helmut Marko has remained characteristically unfazed.
The rumour mill went into overdrive after reports surfaced indicating that Verstappen and Wolff were potentially spotted in Sardinia following the British Grand Prix. Yacht and private jet tracking data sparked claims that the pair may have arranged a secret meeting, reigniting whispers of Verstappen’s possible interest in a future Mercedes seat. Yet, as of now, there is no concrete confirmation that such a meeting took place, and both Wolff and Verstappen have chosen not to deny the possibility outright—fueling the gossip even more.
Helmut Marko, speaking to Austrian outlet OE24, responded with a mix of clarity and confidence. “Max can meet with whoever he wants,” Marko said coolly. His nonchalant attitude suggested that Red Bull is not rattled by the noise, nor by the idea that Verstappen might explore his options. According to Marko, the team’s position remains solid because Verstappen is under a valid contract until 2028—one that Red Bull fully expects him to honour.
However, it’s not just a straightforward contract that’s drawing attention. Rumours persist that Verstappen’s Red Bull deal contains a performance-related exit clause. This clause is believed to allow Verstappen to leave the team should he find himself outside the top four in the Drivers’ Championship standings at the summer break, following the Hungarian Grand Prix. As of now, Verstappen is second in the standings, 69 points behind leader Oscar Piastri, but comfortably ahead of fifth-placed Charles Leclerc by a margin of 46 points. This means the condition to trigger such an exit clause seems unlikely to be met, keeping Verstappen effectively locked in with Red Bull.
Still, the mere existence of the clause continues to invite speculation. The fact that Verstappen might even be entertaining a conversation with Toto Wolff is enough to create waves—especially given the tense history between Mercedes and Red Bull in recent seasons. The rivalry between the two teams, especially during the fierce title battle between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in 2021, makes the idea of Verstappen joining Mercedes a tantalizing narrative for fans and pundits alike.
Marko, however, exuded calm assurance in his remarks. “We have a valid contract and we assume that Max will stay with us,” he reiterated. His stance suggests a level of trust in both the legal binding of the agreement and in Verstappen’s commitment to the Red Bull project. Red Bull’s position is strengthened further by Verstappen’s current standing in the championship and the fact that the car, while no longer entirely dominant, is still highly competitive.
From Mercedes’ perspective, the potential interest in Verstappen is understandable. The team has been in transition since Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari, with George Russell and rising junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli tipped to lead their 2026 campaign. Yet Wolff has remained open about keeping the team’s future lineup flexible, especially given the major regulation changes set to arrive in 2026—including lighter, more efficient cars and revamped engine rules. Verstappen, a proven champion, would represent a coup for any team hoping to challenge for supremacy under the new era of Formula 1.
If Verstappen were to remain at Red Bull, as is widely expected given current conditions, it would effectively confirm Mercedes’ direction for 2026: a continuation with Russell and Antonelli. For now, the cards remain close to the chest, but Mercedes’ long-term strategic planning seems to be solidifying, and the likelihood of any Verstappen move appears slim in the immediate future.
Still, in a sport where allegiances can shift and long-term plans often collide with short-term realities, nothing can ever be ruled out. Verstappen remains one of the most valuable assets in Formula 1, and as long as performance clauses, rumoured meetings, and contract flexibility exist, so too will the speculation.
In the meantime, Red Bull will be focused on regaining control of the championship race, while Verstappen aims to close the gap to Piastri. With 12 rounds remaining, the story of the 2025 season is far from over—and so too, perhaps, is the saga of Verstappen’s long-term future.
