Laurent Mekies just delivered an update on Helmut Marko’s Red Bull future that will catch Max Verstappen’s attention

It’s no secret that one of the main reasons Max Verstappen has become Red Bull Racing’s most decorated driver is Helmut Marko.

Helmut Marko spotted Max Verstappen when he was racing in Formula 3 at the age of just 17.

He was up against future F1 drivers Antonio Giovinazzi, Nicholas Latifi and eventual champion Esteban Ocon, but it was Verstappen who caught Marko’s attention.

The Dutchman won six straight races at Spa and the Norisring to convince Marko that he was a future Red Bull star.

Less than 12 months later Verstappen was making his Formula 1 debut at Toro Rosso alongside Carlos Sainz, making him the youngest-ever driver to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.

Verstappen used to have a clause in his Red Bull contract that meant he was free to leave the team if Marko was no longer in his position as chief advisor.

Red Bull removed Verstappen’s Marko get-out clause but their relationship is still vitally important to the 27-year-old.

Marko has been one of the four-time world champion’s biggest defenders over the years.

Ralf Schumacher’s claim about Verstappen was described as ‘nonsense’ by Marko after he was penalised for making contact with George Russell.

Racing Bulls chief Laurent Mekies has now been asked about Marko and his role within both teams.

His answer will give Verstappen plenty of hope about the direction of Red Bull even if this season hasn’t gone to plan.

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Laurent Mekies says it’s ‘science fiction’ that Helmut Marko will leave Red Bull soon

Mekies was taking part in an interview with Formula1.it and asked if he has any say in the flow of drivers between Racing Bulls and Red Bull or if that’s solely at the discretion of Marko.

He said: “Here I would like to be clear: it will never be our job to choose the Red Bull drivers.

“That is a matter for Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. We only have to, if and when necessary, give the parent company valid options.

“In 2024, we gave two valid options like [Liam] Lawson and [Yuki] Tsunoda and this year, when asked, we put another equally valid one on the table. And we will be ready to do it again.”

Mekies was then asked about the story that Sebastian Vettel could replace Marko in his role at Red Bull and continued: “Honestly, I think that talking about a slowdown in Helmut Marko’s work is absolute science fiction!

“I think that seeing the energy he puts into his work, his involvement in the long-term choices and his commitment to the choice of drivers, I don’t think anything will happen in the short term, regardless of the rumours and names that have been circulating in recent weeks.”

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Helmut Marko has plenty of driver decisions to make at Red Bull and Racing Bulls

Verstappen will have offers from teams up and down the paddock if he decides he wants to leave Red Bull this year.

This would throw Red Bull into chaos, but Verstappen’s contract runs until 2028 and despite plenty of speculation, he doesn’t appear to be imminently on the move.

The identity of his teammate in 2026 is very much up in the air, with Yuki Tsunoda struggling to get up to speed in the RB21.

Isack Hadjar is the next candidate to replace Tsunoda but Marko will need to determine whether the French rookie is ready for that leap.

Liam Lawson’s demotion earlier in the season leaves his future in doubt next year with no contract extension currently on the table.

Marko will be keen to promote Arvid Lindblad from Formula 2 if his strong maiden campaign continues.

It won’t be long until he’s taking part in F1 practice sessions once he turns 18 in the summer.