P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Helmut Marko has made an announcement regarding the futue of Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko confirmed that Max Verstappen will remain with the team for the 2026 F1 season. This decision comes after Verstappen’s contract clause allowing an early exit from Red Bull expired post the Belgian Grand Prix. The clause, rendered inactive after the Spa-Francorchamps race, could have enabled the four-time F1 champion to seek alternatives for 2026 if he dropped out of the top three in the driver standings by the summer break. Marko’s announcement solidifies Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull amidst previous Mercedes speculations, with a potential Mercedes move now postponed until 2027 at the earliest. As F1 enters a new era, the 27-year-old’s future at Red Bull brings closure to weeks of intense scrutiny and sets the stage for possible future collaborations with Toto Wolff.
