P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has reminded Max Verstappen that he has a “valid contract” with Red Bull, amid growing speculation he may switch to F1 rivals Mercedes.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has reiterated to Max Verstappen that he is bound by a “valid contract” with Red Bull, despite increasing speculation of a potential move to Mercedes in Formula 1.
The possibility of Verstappen leaving Red Bull for Mercedes in 2026 has generated significant talk and reports, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
Should Verstappen depart from Red Bull, it would be a major blow to the team already dealing with internal changes following the sudden dismissal of Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner.
Red Bull is gearing up for a challenging season under new regulations, with concerns about potential performance comparisons with Mercedes, who recently formed a partnership with Ford.
While Marko acknowledged that Verstappen is free to talk with any team, the existing contract binds him to Red Bull until 2028, and the team expects him to honor the agreement.
Reports suggest that Mercedes is keen on signing Verstappen, raising questions about his current standings in the Drivers’ Championship and the potential activation of an exit clause based on his performance.
