Helmut Marko in ‘good spirits’ over Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future after preseason testing

Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko downplayed fears of Max Verstappen's rumored exit after preseason testing in Bahrain.

Helmut Marko in ‘good spirits’ over Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future after preseason testing

Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen has raced for Red Bull Racing since the 2016 Spanish GP. Recently, rumors have emerged that the Dutch driver could flirt with a switch to a rival in the future. However, Dr. Helmut Marko has refuted such claims.

Last year, Verstappen was reportedly offered a historic $1.2 billion deal from Aston Martin. While Mercedes expressed its desire to sign the 27-year-old for 2026. Moreover, pundits believe that even Ferrari could look at the F1 star in the near future.

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Helmut Marko asserted that Red Bull needs to give Max Verstappen a championship-winning car to retain him at Milton Keynes. The 81-year-old insisted that he in good spirits after preseason testing in Bahrain. So much so, that Marko was not worried about a possible transfer despite Verstappen’s exit clause.

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We need to provide Max with a car with which he can win the world championship. If that is the case, I am not worried about a possible transfer. After testing in Bahrain, I am in good spirits.

Helmut Marko told F1 Insider

Red Bull behind McLaren in preseason testing

During the three-day test in Bahrain, Helmut Marko insisted that Red Bull obtained positive data from its runs. Though, the Red Bull motorsport consultant admitted that Milton Keynes was still going to be behind reigning world champions McLaren. Nevertheless, Marko downplayed this issue, claiming that the gap was likely only two-tenths of a second.

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

The test was positive, the car responds to changes in set-up. We are still behind McLaren, but not by that much, maybe two-tenths at most.

Helmut Marko added

Certainly, Max Verstappen wants to win the world title yet again this year. The four-time world champion will not be ready to settle for the runner-up spot this season. As such, fans can expect to see the Dutch driver pushing himself to the limit from the season opener in Melbourne.