Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko brushed off any chances of Max Verstappen switching over to the rival Mercedes team. The existing contract between Max Verstappen and Red Bull is valid until the end of 2023. After an exceptional season, extension to this contract is very much on the table.

The Dutchman has been a part of the garage for almost 8 years. After making his debut at the 2015 Australian GP for Toro Rosso, he switched to Red Bull the following year.

However, the question of Verstappen switching teams arises because of the uncertainties around Lewis Hamilton’s F1 return. The Briton lost out on his 8th world title following a controversial call in the last laps of the Abu Dhabi GP. He was furious with the safety car developments, so much so, that he called it “manipulated”. Since then, speculations are ripe that the Abu Dhabi debacle might push him towards retirement.

Now, if Mercedes were to replace Lewis with the best in business at this point, it is none other than his title rival. However, it is highly unlikely that the Dutchman will make a switch from Red Bull. Everyone remembers his first words after winning the world championship in Abu Dhabi, “I hope we can do this for 10-15 years together.” [h/t independant.co.uk]

Marko is confident about Max Verstappen

Verstappen has started 118 races for the Red Bull team till now, winning 20 of them. Moreover, his brilliance on the track in 2021 helped the team restore its presence at the top. The 24-year-old receives strong backing from the team management. Marko recently revealed that he is in talks with Verstappen’s manager and his father. The motive obviously is to extend the contract between the two.

The Austrian advisor also warned that the team is on the edge with Max in terms of salary. As per Gazzetta, in 2020, he signed a contract renewal with Red Bull until 2023, which provides for a base salary of 22 million euros per season, plus bonuses. In a recent interview reported by the Independent, Marko was asked if there is a possibility of seeing Max in black and silver.

“I do not think that Max will leave us then,” said Marko. “The events at Silverstone have left too big a crack, especially with [his father] Jos. I think that makes him less likely to switch sides,” added the 70-year-old.

Meanwhile, Verstappen himself has made this clear that Red Bull is his home. “There’s no reason to change ever. I want to stay with them for the rest of my life. I hope they let me but yeah, it’s insane,” said the Dutchman as reported by the Independent.

“I’m so happy and also Christian [Horner] but also Helmut you know, trusting me to be in the team in 2016. Our goal of course was to win this championship and now we have done that.”

Max Verstappen will soon join teammate Sergio Perez ahead of the pre-season testing later this month. Meanwhile, all speculations aside, fans expect Hamilton to make a return to the grid in the 2022 F1 season. Tell us your opinion in the comments section below.

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