Helmut Marko calls Wolff main source of Verstappen rumors

Helmut Marko admitted that helium was not astatine each comfy watching the months of rumors circulating astir the existent satellite champion's imaginable departure from Red Bull. He says that helium was peculiarly annoyed by the information that galore radical thought they knew amended than the squad what Max's merchandise clause said. Marko singled retired Mercedes brag Toto Wolff arsenic 1 of the main instigators of these rumors.

After Dutch media confirmed that the four-time champion would stay loyal to the Austrian team, speculation was yet enactment aside. The determination came astatine a clip erstwhile Red Bull is adjusting to beingness without long-time brag Christian Horner, truthful further play was the past happening they needed.

Marko described those days successful Milton Keynes for Kronen Zeitung:
"Of people it was irritating, particularly due to the fact that everyone thought they knew amended than america what the merchandise clause said. But we cognize that it was each partially instigated by Toto Wolff."

Close narration and wide decision

The Austrian is 1 of Verstappen's astir trusted people. They are truthful adjacent that past twelvemonth determination were stories that Max would permission the squad if Marko was forced to leave. It is precisely due to the fact that of this closeness that Marko believes that it ne'er made consciousness for the 27-year-old operator to determination to different squad successful 2026.

Although determination was country to activate the termination of his declaration – due to the fact that helium was extracurricular the apical 3 positions successful the standings until the summertime – Verstappen decided to stay. The large changes to the method rules that are coming would besides mean caller uncertainty for the different team, truthful the Dutch ace assessed that it was safer to proceed with Red Bull, surrounded by acquainted radical and a strategy successful which helium feels "at home".

How agelong this "house" volition stay his remains to beryllium seen. For now, the squad and the operator look to beryllium successful harmony, and the rumors that filled the headlines this summertime are dilatory fading into oblivion. But successful Formula 1, bid seldom lasts agelong – particularly erstwhile idiosyncratic similar Toto Wolff enters the story.