Helmut Marko dampens Max Verstappen Red Bull exit concerns: "Can meet with whomever he wants"

Red Bull Racing executive adviser Helmut Marko has dampened rumours about Max Verstappen's potential exit from the team.

The four-time Formula 1 champion has been linked to a move to Mercedes amid performance struggles at Red Bull. Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff has confirmed that he has been in talks with the Dutchman, although no formal announcements have been made at this stage. 

Following the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Verstappen reportedly held talks with Wolff in Sardinia. When asked if the rumours of the alleged meeting were true, Marko told OE24: "Max can meet with whomever he wants."

"We have a valid contract [until 2028] and we assume Max will stay with us," Marko added when asked if Verstappen's potential meeting was a concern.

Wolff previously explained that although the Brackley outfit is happy with current drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, he could not ignore the idea that a four-time champion may be on the market.

"I think when you look at the situation we have with Kimi and George, we have a perfect line-up that we very much enjoy and that we believe is the future," he said to Sky Sports F1.

"But, at the same time, there is a four-time world champion that needs to decide what he is going to do in the future and that is just, as a team principal, you need to see where that is going.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

"But I think I give it a very little probability that it's going to happen."

He added, "You don't know what's going to be in three or five years, that's why you need to look at what is it that should be considered on the long term."

In addition to the reports about a potential Mercedes move, there has been speculation that Verstappen's management, including his father Jos, could have influenced Christian Horner's exit from his role as Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal. It is worth noting that the reason for his exit has not been confirmed.

Marko shut down questions about whether he had spoken with Verstappen since Horner's exit. "Max was informed, I don't want to say anything more about that."