Former Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has refused to reveal what was discussed in a private meeting with Jos Verstappen and Max Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen following the British Grand Prix.
The meet-up took place just days after PlanetF1.com reported that Verstappen is in advanced talks to leave Red Bull for McLaren for the F1 2027 season.
Helmut Marko refuses to reveal details of private Max Verstappen meeting
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It is understood that Verstappen can trigger an exit clause in his Red Bull contract if he is outside the top two positions as F1 enters this year’s summer break.
He currently trails George Russell, the driver occupying second place in the standings, by 78 points ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
With only a maximum of 50 points available before the summer shutdown, Verstappen’s exit could already be on the cards.
Multiple paddock sources have suggested that Verstappen and McLaren are in the closing stages of a lengthy negotiation for the Dutch driver to move from Red Bull.
De Telegraaf reporter Erik van Haren posted a photograph of Marko, Verstappen Sr and Vermeulen meeting in Amsterdam in the wake of a wretched British Grand Prix for Red Bull (below).
📸 Vandaag gespot in Amsterdam: Max Verstappens manager Raymond Vermeulen en vader Jos met voormalig Red Bull-topman Helmut Marko.
Wat daar besproken is, is niet bekend. Toekomst Verstappen in Formule 1 onder enorm vergrootglas, maar ook wat dat betreft nog geen duidelijkheid. pic.twitter.com/FVa24Tsb5k
— Erik van Haren (@ErikvHaren) July 9, 2026
Marko, who brought Verstappen into the Red Bull fold, is thought to have remained a close confidante of the driver and his personal team despite cutting ties with parent company Red Bull GmbH at the end of 2025.
The 83-year-old, however, would not be drawn on the nature of his conversation with Verstappen Sr and Vermeulen.
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“My visit was private, if that’s what you want to ask,” he told GPBlog.
Pressed on whether he could offer anything on Verstappen’s thinking for F1 2027, the former Red Bull motorsport advisor replied: “No idea. I am not in charge anymore.”
He also wouldn’t comment on whether an improved performance from Red Bull could sway Verstappen, saying: “That’s also not my business. You have to ask Laurent [Mekies].”
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Verstappen retired from the British Grand Prix when his RB22’s rear wing failed at the high-speed Stowe corner in a “super dangerous” situation.
It was the four-time world champion’s second rear wing failure in as many race weekends following his accident in qualifying at Red Bull’s home race in Austria, with Verstappen left noticeably annoyed.
He was asked after the race for his thoughts on his Red Bull future.
He told PlanetF1.com and other media outlets: “I’m not going to say anything about that. It’s not fair to say anything about that also right now.”
His remarks came just weeks after Vermeulen made it clear that while Verstappen wants to be loyal to Red Bull, it won’t come at any prize.
“We’re going to wait and see how the car develops over the next few weeks,” he told Bild. “We definitely want to stay at Red Bull, but only with a car capable of winning.”
Additional reporting by Thomas Maher
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Originally published by Planet F1 —
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