Helmut Marko has made a Max Verstappen promise at Red Bull that Mercedes could ‘never’ fulfil

If Max Verstappen is going to commit to Red Bull Racing beyond 2026, then Helmut Marko is going to play a key role in those negotiations.

One of the most talked-about storylines during the 2025 Formula 1 season has been Max Verstappen’s future.

Verstappen’s contract runs until the end of 2028, but Red Bull were well aware that a performance clause in his deal could have facilitated an early exit this winter.

However, once the Dutchman was guaranteed third in the drivers’ championship going into the summer break, it would have required a huge bid from a rival team to buy him out of his agreement.

That doesn’t mean he’s tied down to drive for Red Bull for the next three-and-a-half years.

The upcoming 2026 regulation changes are set to be a decisive moment in Red Bull’s history.

The team are developing their own power units, via Red Bull Powertrains, and are likely to be essential in determining whether next year is a success or failure.

Helmut Marko has now suggested that Red Bull are at the mercy of Verstappen when it comes to his future and will offer him a level of flexibility that rivals and long-admirers, Mercedes, would never agree to.

Photo by Mark Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Helmut Marko says Red Bull will let Max Verstappen walk away from F1 if he doesn’t like the 2026 regulations

Journalist Ronald Vording was speaking on the James Allen on F1 Podcast and discussing Verstappen’s future.

He explained: “There’s a huge risk, I would say, for a repeat of this year, having a really difficult season, especially with the Red Bull Powertrains project coming in.

“But, the luxury is that he has much more flexibility, because if he were to sign for, let’s say, Mercedes, then they want to lock him in for, let’s say, three, four, five years.

“And what if Mercedes is not the dominant force in 2026, then you cannot move again for 2027. That will be at least more tricky than now with the clauses in his contract at Red Bull.

“Another element is what if he completely doesn’t like the 2026 regulations? I’ve had this conversation with Helmut Marko. And Marko told me Max is the type of guy that after three, four, five races, if he really doesn’t like it, he comes to my office and says, ‘OK, here you’ve got my contract, I’m done with F1 and I’m moving to endurance.’

“That’s something he could theoretically do at Red Bull, but that is never going to work at Mercedes if Toto Wolff signed you to a $50m contract.”

What are Max Verstappen’s options if he decides to leave Red Bull after 2026?

As explained above, Mercedes have been chasing Verstappen for some time, and may be targeting a 2027 arrival if they’re as dominant as many people expect them to be next year.

Aston Martin would also be an option for Verstappen, and Ferrari might have a vacant seat if Lewis Hamilton doesn’t trigger an extension to his deal.

Talking about Verstappen’s options, Vording continued: “The driver market towards 2027 is much more open than the one for 2026.

“For 2026, we were all talking about Mercedes, but for 2027, there are, in theory, many more options.

“An Aston Martin reunion with Adrian Newey and Honda could be an option. Mercedes is most likely still an option.

“And you don’t even know what’s going to happen at Ferrari with Lewis Hamilton after 2026.

“So, then he has more options and it’s not gambling anymore.”

The next 10 races are unlikely to see Verstappen suddenly try and force an exit for 2026, but they will set the tone going into next season.

With the 27-year-old, new team principal, Laurent Mekies, will have his work cut out trying to keep up with the likes of McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari.