Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko has admitted that Max Verstappen might consider leaving the team despite his contract running until 2028.
The Dutch superstar, a dominant force since joining Red Bull in 2016, has racked up 63 victories and four world championships with the squad.
Yet whispers of a potential move to rivals like Mercedes or Aston Martin have grown louder as Formula 1 braces for a major regulation shake-up in 2026.
Marko has said Verstappen’s future hinges on Red Bull’s ability to stay competitive. “It’s no secret that Max’s contract includes performance clauses,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.
“Max wants to win, and he needs to feel we’re fully committed to that goal. If he senses we’re not giving him the best car possible, there’s a risk he could walk away, contract or not.”
The team faced a tougher 2024 season after their near-unbeatable 2023, where Verstappen triumphed in 86 percent of the races.
Marko has acknowledged they don’t need to replicate that level of dominance to keep their star driver, but they must prove they can fight at the front.
“We have to show him we can build a car capable of winning,” he said. “That doesn’t mean 20 wins a season with today’s competition, but we need to take the victories within our reach and consistently score strong points.”
Verstappen’s next chance to assess Red Bull’s form comes soon, with the 2025 Australian Grand Prix kicking off the season on March 16.
The teams will battle over 58 laps of Melbourne’s 5.278-kilometre Albert Park circuit, setting the tone for what could be a pivotal year in Verstappen’s career, and Red Bull’s future.
