Max Verstappen Makes Emotional Promise to Helmut Marko

Max Verstappen promises to honor Helmut Marko's legacy at Red Bull and continue to score well in the absence of the latter.

Max Verstappen Makes Emotional Promise to Helmut Marko

Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)

Max Verstappen will continue racing for Red Bull in the 2026 season in the absence of Dr. Helmut Marko for the first time in his career. Despite Marko’s controversial comments and questionable choices on the grid, he was a great talent scout and is responsible for drivers like Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel coming into Formula 1. As such, the 28-year-old pays tribute to the Austrian and promises that he will keep honoring his legacy at Milton Keynes.

Max Verstappen reportedly had an exit clause in his Red Bull contract that allowed him to walk scot-free if Helmut Marko were to be axed from the team. Although Verstappen noted that he would follow Marko out of the team, he plans to finish his contract with Milton Keynes until the end of the 2028 season. Speaking on Marko’s role, the Dutchman reassured that he would never forget the former’s importance in his life and F1 career.

Speaking on Helmut Marko’s sudden exit from Red Bull, Max Verstappen recalled that he had a very emotional call with him following the culmination of the Abu Dhabi GP. Verstappen accepted that everything would be completely different at Milton Keynes without the 82-year-old. Moreover, the Dutchman wasn’t too concerned about not meeting Marko at all.

Max Verstappen reassured that he would always meet up with Helmut Marko and have lunch with him if he ever visited the latter’s residence in Graz. The four-time champion looked back at the many great things that the two achieved together in their careers working together. Verstappen reckoned that everything would stay on his mind and he would never forget Marko’s role.

We had a very emotional call after Abu Dhabi, It will be a bit different [without him, but] all good things come to an end at some point. We’ll see each other around anyway. If I’m going to Graz, we’ll have lunch together! We have achieved so many great things together that will always stay on our minds.

Max Verstappen said via Sky Sports News

Max Verstappen ponders over ‘impossible to know’ tricks for 2026 F1 season

The 2026 season of Formula 1 will introduce new regulations for all the teams and drivers on the grid. Though Max Verstappen dominated a majority of the ground-effect era regulations, he will still face uncertainty over the coming seasons. As such, amid the preparations for the new season, Verstappen opened up on potential tricks to unleash full power from the engines and maximize results compared to the rivals.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Max Verstappen, who was sure that the teams would spend more time in the garage than out on tracks during practice sessions, noted that it was impossible to know so early on. The Dutchman believed that Red Bull did not have a clear edge over the rivals and would still need some time to see the full picture. Verstappen reckoned that he wasn’t going to delve into the technicalities of the engine, but rather focus on driving and scoring results.

It’s impossible to know. Everyone is just trying everything they can and from our side, especially from my side, I have to focus on the driving. I’m not there to be the engine technician will explain everything in detail to you. 

Max Verstappen told Bloomberg.

Red Bull will partner with Ford to develop their own power units from the 2026 season. The team has accepted that this has been a much bigger challenge than anticipated. However, Max Verstappen remains the factor that will prove just how successful the team becomes, as he continues to perform well despite all odds.

Read More: Max verstappen Exposes What Would Make Him Walk Away from F1