Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future in doubt as Dr Helmut Marko sidesteps key question during an interview – Max Verstappen’s six-year contract with Red Bull, signed until 2022, was widely regarded as a defining moment for both the driver and the team. Worth an estimated €50 million a year, the deal underlined Verstappen’s status as one of the leading figures in Formula One.
However, despite the long-term agreement, there has been growing speculation about the Dutchman’s future with Red Bull, with some within his camp suggesting that the dream partnership may not last as long as originally expected.
As the season progresses and the competition heats up, questions are being asked about Verstappen’s long-term commitment to Red Bull. And even one of his closest allies, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, is carefully avoiding a clear stance when asked about the 26-year-old’s plans beyond 2025.
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2024: Dominant start but cracks begin to show
Verstappen entered the 2024 season riding high on the back of three consecutive world championships. With seven wins in the first ten races, the Red Bull driver looked set for a fourth consecutive title. But as the season progressed, the tables began to turn and Red Bull’s dominance was no longer assured.
While Verstappen remains at the top of the standings, his lead over the competition has narrowed considerably, casting doubt on his once certain path to victory.
Although Verstappen still holds a 62-point lead in the standings, the competition has intensified. In particular, McLaren’s Lando Norris has mounted a serious challenge, putting pressure on the Red Bull star. With the growing strength of their rivals and internal frustration within the Red Bull camp, the future of the reigning champions looks more uncertain than ever.
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Internal frustrations beginning to surface
The mounting pressure has led to an increase in critical voices from within Verstappen’s own camp. What once appeared to be a solid and harmonious relationship between driver and team is now showing signs of strain. Behind the scenes, there are murmurs of discontent as Verstappen’s recent performances and Red Bull’s declining competitiveness raise concerns about the team’s strategic direction.
Verstappen’s father Jos, who has been a key figure in his son’s career, has not held back in expressing his discontent. Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Jos Verstappen highlighted what he sees as a number of missteps by the Red Bull team, saying:
“The team has made a number of wrong turns. Internally, we should hold up a mirror and not always sugar-coat everything.”
His comments suggest growing frustration at the team’s inability to maintain a competitive edge, and he warned that without significant improvement it may already be too late to salvage the 2024 season.
“It’s time to put a winning car in front of my son again,” added Verstappen Sr, making it clear that Red Bull’s current trajectory is unacceptable in the eyes of the Verstappen family.
Marko’s evasive response sparks speculation
Despite the mounting tensions, Red Bull has maintained a largely united public front. However, when Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s long-time advisor and close confidant of Verstappen, was asked about the driver’s future with the team beyond 2025, his response was notably vague.
In an interview with Austrian publication *oe24*, Marko reiterated that Verstappen will remain with the team for the 2025 season, but hesitated when asked about 2026 and beyond.
Marko commented, “2026 is still so far away,” implying that no predictions could be made at this stage. His reluctance to give a more definitive answer has only fuelled speculation that Verstappen may not see out his contract with Red Bull, despite its supposed long-term nature.
This is in stark contrast to Verstappen’s previous comments from 2021, when he expressed a desire to stay with the team for “another 10 or 15 years”.
Now, just a few years later, that confidence appears to have waned as both Verstappen and Red Bull face unprecedented challenges.
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The changing landscape of Formula One
One of the key factors influencing Verstappen’s future is the changing dynamics within Formula One. For the past two seasons, Red Bull has dominated the sport, leaving little room for competitors. However, 2024 has marked a turning point, with rivals such as McLaren and Ferrari stepping up their game.
Norris, in particular, has emerged as a significant threat to Verstappen’s supremacy, forcing the Dutchman to fight harder than ever to maintain his lead.
This shift in the competitive landscape may be contributing to the uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s future at Red Bull. If the team can’t provide him with a car capable of consistently challenging for victories, it’s possible that Verstappen could consider his options elsewhere.
With new regulations coming into force in 2026, including significant changes to engine technology and aerodynamic rules, the entire Formula One grid could look very different by then. For Verstappen, who has made it clear that he wants to continue winning, staying with a team that may struggle to adapt to these new rules may no longer be an attractive prospect.
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Looking ahead: 2025 and beyond
For now, Max Verstappen remains focused on securing a fourth consecutive world championship, but the future remains uncertain. Red Bull have committed to keeping him until the 2025 season, but beyond that all bets are off. As rivals close the gap and internal frustrations mount, the cracks in the once unstoppable Verstappen-Red Bull partnership are beginning to show.
Helmut Marko’s reluctance to commit to a future beyond 2025 speaks volumes about the unpredictable nature of the sport and the pressures that come with being a world champion. For Verstappen, the next few seasons could determine whether his legacy continues to be built with Red Bull, or whether a new chapter awaits him elsewhere.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
