Helmut Marko has .... Max Verstappen remark with telling Toto...

Helmut Marko has made worrying Max Verstappen remark with telling Toto Wolff verdict

Helmut Marko’s recent remarks about Toto Wolff indicate that the Mercedes team principal could still have hopes of luring Max Verstappen away from Red Bull in the future.

Despite Mercedes’ current plans to announce Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement for the next season, there was initial interest in signing Verstappen. Wolff and Mercedes have been open about their admiration for the Dutch driver, frequently expressing their interest in the media.

However, Red Bull has remained firm, emphasizing that Verstappen is under contract until the end of 2028 and is not going anywhere soon.

Though it’s evident that Verstappen won’t be driving for Mercedes in the upcoming season, there remains a possibility that discussions could resume later.

Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s advisor, suggested before the Italian Grand Prix that Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, has a better rapport with Wolff than with Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner. Marko noted that Wolff’s attempts to recruit Verstappen were expected, as any top team would want a driver of his caliber.

Marko also pointed out that in Monaco, where many F1 personalities live, it’s not unusual for people to run into each other, creating opportunities for discussions that Wolff could turn into stories.

He also mentioned that Jos Verstappen is more of a fan of Wolff than of Horner, which might influence future decisions.

Jos Verstappen’s strained relationship with Horner is well-known, with Jos having publicly criticized Horner several times.

Earlier in the season, Jos even called for Horner’s dismissal, and tensions resurfaced during the Austrian Grand Prix. The friction between them could potentially push Max Verstappen toward considering a move to Mercedes in the future.

Toto Wolff recently revealed that he is still in communication with Verstappen about a possible switch to Mercedes. However, he clarified that there are no concrete timelines and that their discussions are more about keeping the lines of communication open.

Wolff acknowledged that while Red Bull remains Verstappen’s priority, Mercedes’ focus is on managing their current drivers.

At the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen seemed open to the idea of a move when asked about it, stating that he has a good relationship with Wolff and sees nothing wrong with Mercedes publicly expressing their interest.

This openness, coupled with ongoing tensions between Jos Verstappen and Christian Horner, suggests that a future move to Mercedes might still be on the table for the reigning world champion.