Helmut Marko has declined to share details of his private meeting with Max Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen and father Jos Verstappen after the British Grand Prix.
The meeting took place only a few days after it was reported that Verstappen is allegedly in talks with Mclaren for a drive in 2027. Multiple paddock sources have suggested that they are in the closing stages of negotiations for the four-time champion to leave Red Bull after 10 years at the team.
It is also understood that Verstappen’s exit clause is close to being triggered. His Red Bull contract apparently has an exit clause should he be outside the top two going into the F1 summer break. After Silverstone, he sits seventh behind the Mercedes, Ferraris, and Mclarens.
De Telegraaf reporter Erik van Haren posted a photo on X of Marko, Vermeulen, and Verstappen Sr meeting in Amsterdam following the Dutch driver’s disappointing British GP weekend.
Marko: “No idea, I am not in charge anymore”
Marko, former Red Bull advisor, left the team at the end of 2025 but remains close with Verstappen and company. However, he would not reveal what was the conversations were about.
“My visit was private, if that’s what you want to ask,” he told GPBlog.
Asked whether he could offer any perspective on Verstappen’s thoughts for the future, the 83-year-old replied: “No idea. I am not in charge anymore.”
He also offered no comment on whether Verstappen could be persuaded to stay at Red Bull by improving the performance of the RB22.
“That’s also not my business. You have to ask Laurent [Mekies].”
Undeniably, the RB22 does have performance to gain. Verstappen retired from the British Grand Prix after his rear wing failed at Stowe. And not for the first time – the race weekend prior, Verstappen found himself in the barriers of the Red Bull Ring during qualifying for a similar issue.
Originally published by motorsportweek.com —
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