Helmut Marko reveals ‘measures’ for Red Bull to ensure not losing Max Verstappen to Mercedes
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Marko Helmut and Max Verstappen
Helmut Marko, Red Bull Formula One team’s Chief Advisor has shared an opinion on the looming risk of losing racer Max Verstappen to rivals Mercedes. The Austrian warned and has said that Red Bull must act quickly.
Max Verstappen has been linked with a move to Mercedes if Hamilton retires. Helmut Marko told the dutchman must be kept happy to make sure the title rivals don’t swoop in and take their priced racer from their hands.
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Helmut Marko: Red Bull must remain competitive to keep Max Verstappen happy
Having snatched victory on the last lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen dethroned Lewis Hamilton and broke the 8 years of continuous Mercedes domination on the World Drivers Championship. The Dutchman has been the first person to break Mercedes’s stronghold on the trophy in the entirety of the Turbo-Hybrid Era. But tensions seem to loom high as Helmut Marko predicts Max may have a change of mind.
Max is a product of the Red Bull Junior Driver Program. He has stated his loyalty to Red Bull earlier but this could all be questioned if the right decisions are not made. With Lewis Hamilton’s career in question following the debacle at the last race, his return to Formula one is still shrouded in mystery. This means Mercedes could swoop in for Max promising a chance to win the title.
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Marko has warned that Red Bull must make sure it remains consistently in the mix for silverware and be on par with Mercedes to satisfy Max. “The success now is very important for us,” the Red Bull adviser told AutoRevue. “That is also the reason why we have worked towards this. I’ve said it before – we need a winning car if we want to keep Verstappen in the long term. That’s why we took the decision in mid-2020 to focus entirely on [the 2021] car.”
“Breaking the [Mercedes] dominance after seven years, which was mainly due to the engine, had an impact on the whole of Formula 1. Interest and viewer numbers have grown rapidly. It is definitely the most important victory we have achieved in the history of Red Bull Racing” said Marko commenting about the incredible competition they had with Mercedes throughout the 2021 season.
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“I do not think that Max will leave us then,” he added. “The events at Silverstone have left too big a crack, especially with [his father] Jos. I think that makes him less likely to switch sides” said Marko citing the extremely dangerous crash Max had due to a risky inside overtake manoeuvre caused by Hamilton. The Race was being led by Max but was cut short after the crash which briefly sent him to the hospital.
In 2020, Verstappen signed a contract extension to race for Red Bull until the 2023 season end. This means the 2021 World Champion has 2 seasons left with the Austrian team. Marko confirmed the talks are underway and they will be concluded by the start of the season. Both parties have suggested that they intend to continue their contracts.
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Tejas Venkatesh
(366 Articles Published)