'Marko declares solidarity with Verstappen, steps down if Max wants to leave'

Max Verstappen has his future entirely in his own hands. According to the usually well-informed BBC Sport Helmut Marko has declared his solidarity with the three-time world champion. If Verstappen wants out of his contract at Red Bull Racing, the 80-year-old consultant will tear up his commitment to the Milton Keynes-based team.

Verstappen still has a contract with Red Bull Racing until 2028, but the world championship leader could get out from under his contract the moment Marko stops working for the Austrian formation. So if the 58-time Grand Prix winner wants to leave Red Bull after this season or after 2025, he does depend on what Marko does.

However, the Austrian top man will not stand in his way. Highly placed sources have told BBC Sport that Marko has promised Verstappen that he will do what Max wants. In other words, if Verstappen wants to switch to Mercedes, Aston Martin or any other team, Marko will make that possible by stepping down.

Verstappen and Marko inseparable

This comes as no surprise. Verstappen and Marko are two hands on deck and confidants of each other. The 26-year-old Dutchman tied his fate to that of his consultant earlier this season, when it looked like the talent scout would be suspended by Red Bull Racing. So now Marko is doing the same.

Earlier, there were rumours that Mercedes would be willing to offer Marko a contract, if they could thereby convince Verstappen to make the switch to Brackley. What is true of that is unknown. Nevertheless, based on this new reporting, this does not seem implausible.