Max Verstappen has stated that his primary goal is to help Red Bull improve their car. This comes after Helmut Marko raised concerns about the world champion`s future with the team, though Verstappen claims to be unaware of the reasons behind Marko`s comments.
Speculation about Verstappen`s future arose when Red Bull advisor Marko, speaking after the Bahrain Grand Prix where Verstappen finished sixth, mentioned his worry that the four-time champion might consider leaving if the team doesn`t improve their performance.
Verstappen`s contract with Red Bull extends to 2028, but it is believed to include performance-related clauses that could allow him to depart earlier under certain conditions.
When questioned about Marko`s remarks during a press conference for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen responded, “I`m not sure why he said that, to be honest. I`m focused on working and improving the car.”
He added, “Bahrain was not a good weekend for us, and we were all disappointed. We are focused on developing the car and finding new solutions. The competition is strong, and I`m focused on improving our situation.”
In response to a question about whether he was considering leaving Red Bull, Verstappen playfully replied, “He should focus on commentating, and I`ll focus on driving. Then we don`t need to consider any other possibilities.”
Verstappen acknowledged the rumors linking him to Mercedes and Aston Martin, saying, “Many people are talking about it, but I`m not.”
He concluded, “My focus is solely on my car and working with the team. That`s my only concern in F1 right now. I am very relaxed about it.”
Verstappen on Manager`s Discussion with Marko
Verstappen also addressed the conversation between his manager, Raymond Vermeulen, and Helmut Marko after the Bahrain race.
“From what I understand, they were simply discussing various aspects, which is normal,” Verstappen explained.
“People can interpret their discussions in different ways. We were all frustrated with the race results and the issues we faced. My manager Raymond and Helmut, along with Christian [Horner], discussed these frustrations. It`s a normal part of caring about the team and results.”
Last year in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen questioned his future with Red Bull amidst rumors of Marko`s potential departure, emphasizing Marko`s importance to his own future with the team.
When asked about the current internal situation at Red Bull, Verstappen stated, “I am happy, but not with our car`s performance. Everyone wants improvement, that`s no secret. We are working to improve.”
He added, “We`ve had productive discussions about the car in recent weeks and are aligned on our goals. We are focused on improving the situation. Nothing has changed, we just need to keep pushing forward.”
Verstappen Remains Calm About Championship Chances
Despite past off-track tensions, Verstappen won last year`s Jeddah race. However, McLaren has since become a strong competitor, and Red Bull`s performance has varied. Verstappen is currently a few points behind in the standings, and Red Bull recognizes the need for rapid improvements.
When asked about his chances for a fifth consecutive title if the car doesn`t improve, Verstappen said, “I`m not thinking about that. I`m taking it race by race. Hopefully, we can perform better than in Bahrain. If we can find a middle ground, that would be positive, and we`ll move forward.”
“Ultimately, much is beyond my control. Currently, we aren`t the fastest, making a championship fight challenging. But it`s a long season. Last year at this point, things looked very positive for us, and we know how the season progressed. I`m optimistic we can improve and see what happens.”
