Helmut Marko makes an official announcement about Max's future Verstappen in Red Bull

Max verstappenThe stay at Red Bull has often been seen with skepticism in the midst of the team's fall, but team advisor Helmut Marko has given a view of the Dutch situation in the squad. The 82 -year -old revealed that Versappen will remain on board the Red Bull project until the end of the 2026 season, slowing down any speculation to move to Mercedes.

The four -time champion debuted with Red Bull 2016 and hired the team until the end of the 2028 season. This long -term contract was signed when Versappen had won its first title with the team.

Although this contract has helped to secure three more titles, it has now been linked to the Austrian giant in the midst of uncertainty, with a mass exodus that occurs in the background. F1 Paddock understood that if the Dutch is Mercedes For the 2026 season.

However, with George Russell at 28 points, Versappen will enter the summer break in third place in the standings. This leaves a strong purchase as the only way you could let go Max Verstappen, a path, that Helmut Marko stated that it would not be opted for the Sport.De:

“Yes, I can confirm that Max Verstapen will lead by Red Bull in 2026.”

Verstappen deficit at the top of the championship stairs went from 69 points to 81 points after the Belgian GP.

---

Max Verstappen has given up 2025 title hopes despite Helmut Marko's optimism

McLaren has a strong control at the top of the driver's crown Oscar Piastri Directing the championship classification and Lando Norris sitting at 16 points. With Max Versappen 81 points in the leadership, the Dutch is no longer thinking of his defense of the title.

However, Helmut Marko thinks the opposite, as he was optimistic for a change later the year, according to (Via Planetf1):

“Ultimately, the fifth place for Max in Silverstone, a week earlier, early retirement in Austria due to Antonelli's branching. This does not facilitate the defense of Verstapen's title, but we are far from writing the title.”

On the other hand, Versappen ruled out any possibility of continuing his reign on the sphere of the F1, as he said in the Dutch media:

“Helmut is not in the car! I understand that you have to be positive about it. On the other hand, I am always very realistic about what I feel in the car and then, when I look at some boards of other cars, I know enough.”

Red Bull is fourth in the builders' classification, and Verstappen contributed 185 points to the total of 192 points on the team.