The Motorsport Advisor of the Milton Keynes-based team has been a guiding figure for Max Verstappen throughout his Formula 1 career. Helmut Marko noted that the Dutch driver was somewhat saddened following the decision made yesterday: “We were reflecting on the incredible moments we spent together,” he added.
Max Verstappen’s stay with Red Bull
Speaking about Verstappen’s departure from Red Bull to Kleine Zeitung, Marko highlighted the Dutchman’s position, independent of the 82-year-old advisor’s exit from the team. For now, no major shifts are expected in the driver market, but Verstappen could eventually end his highly successful run in Milton Keynes only under one particular condition.
“Max does not just want to succeed; he wants to succeed in a harmonious environment,” Helmut explained. If this essential factor were to disappear, the four-time World Champion might make a drastic decision: “If he could no longer achieve that, he would resign overnight. But he is too young for that right now.”
Therefore, any potential separation between Max Verstappen and the team that nurtured and developed him in Formula 1 is not directly linked to Helmut Marko’s departure. Recently, other key figures such as Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, and Jonathan Wheatley have also left the team, marking a new era under Laurent Mekies’ leadership. The upcoming season will provide critical insights, with the Power Units developed in collaboration with Ford expected to play a decisive role in the car’s performance.
One thing is certain: if the garage ever stops feeling like home for Max Verstappen, the most dominant driver of his generation won’t hesitate to look for the exit door – no matter how many races or titles are still on the table.
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