Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes Formula 1, has hinted that Helmut Marko, an advisor for Red Bull, would be welcomed by the team amidst rumors about Max Verstappen’s future. Despite Red Bull’s continued dominance in F1, Verstappen’s position has been questioned following the investigation into Team Principal Christian Horner. Although Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing, Max’s father, Jos, expressed concerns about his continued leadership potentially causing division within the team. During the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, reports surfaced suggesting that Marko could be investigated by the parent company, Red Bull, for leaking information to the media. Marko, who has been involved in Red Bull’s driver development program since 1999 and played a key role in bringing Verstappen into the F1 team at the young age of 17, stated that leaving is a possibility if the conditions are not right for him to continue working at Red Bull. Verstappen, in response to Marko’s comments, emphasized the importance of Marko remaining part of the team for him. Given the close relationship between Marko and the Verstappen camp, Wolff has proposed that Marko could potentially fill the void left by the late Niki Lauda, who played a crucial role in Mercedes’ success from 2014 to 2021 by persuading Lewis Hamilton to join the team from McLaren in 2012. Wolff jokingly mentioned that they are missing their old mascot and could consider bringing in Marko, who is of the right age, even though he doesn’t wear a red cap.
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In a format reminiscent of tabloid journalism, Toto Wolff, the Mercedes Team Principal and CEO, expressed his concern over the potential departure of Helmut Marko from the Red Bull operation. According to Wolff, Marko’s absence would be a significant blow to the reigning champions. Despite their rivalry, Wolff acknowledged Marko’s prowess as a true racer and emphasized the impact his departure would have on Red Bull and the team.
Following the Bahrain Grand Prix, there were reports of a meeting between Wolff and Jos Verstappen Sr, Max Verstappen’s father. Speculation arose that this encounter signaled Wolff’s attempt to lure the defending champion away from Red Bull. However, Wolff denied any concrete plans to poach Verstappen, stating that he has maintained a friendly relationship with the Verstappen family for the past decade. He clarified that their interactions did not indicate an immediate professional change.
With Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Mercedes has an available seat for 2025. Nevertheless, Wolff made it clear that Verstappen’s priority is to have a competitive car. When questioned about the rumors in Jeddah, Verstappen confirmed his commitment to his existing Red Bull contract, which extends until 2028. Wolff conceded that while Mercedes has openings in 2025 and 2026, Verstappen’s loyalty lies with Red Bull, the team currently providing him with the fastest car.