Max Verstappen to Mercedes 'takes huge twist' with Helmut Marko and Jos involved

Mercedes’ hopes of prising Max Verstappen away from Red Bull look to have been dashed. Team principal Toto Wolff has made no secret of their desire to sign the world champion, ideally as early as next season as they seek a replacement for Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.

While Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until 2028, his future has been questioned due to ructions behind the scenes, including a falling out between his father, Jos, and team principal Christian Horner, whose relationship with team advisor Helmut Marko has also become strained.

It is widely believed that Verstappen has a get-out clause tied to the future of Marko, 81, who suggested earlier this season that he could leave the team, fuelling speculation that the Dutchman could defect to one of their biggest rivals. Verstappen himself made it clear that he would be unlikely to stay with the team if Marko, one of his most important mentors, departs.

However, in a fresh twist, Marko has now signed a document which guarantees he will see out his contract – not due to expire until the end of 2026 – reports Autosport.

Also, it has been suggested that Verstappen has agreed he will not look to leave Red Bull in the event of Marko’s absence for a reason beyond the team’s control, like ill health. Marko’s agreement virtually rules out Verstappen being available to Mercedes, or any other team, in the near future.

Verstappen had not completely ruled out a move to Mercedes but has insisted on numerous occasions he's content where he is. However, Mercedes' sudden upturn in from - which saw George Russell win the Austrian Grand Prix and Lewis Hamilton claim victory at Silverstone - Wolff may have been hoping his negotiation position had strengthened but that now appears not to be the case.

In more good news for Red Bull, the relationship between Horner and Jos Verstappen has reportedly been repaired. At the start of the season, Verstappen Snr called for Horner to go after the team principal was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female employee at Red Bull.

Horner denied any wrongdoing and was cleared following an internal Red Bull investigation. The tension between the pair resurfaced at the recent Austrian Grand Prix, where Jos Verstappen accused Horner of vetoing his planned appearance in a Red Bull car parade.

However, according to Dutch title De Telegraaf, which has close links with the Verstappens, Horner and Jos are now back on speaking terms again, which can only bode well for Red Bull as they look to hold on to the three-time world champion.

With a blockbuster move for Verstappen seemingly now off the table for 2025, Mercedes look set to promote young driver Kimi Antonelli. After a tough start to the season, the 17-year-old Italian took his second F2 victory of the season in the feature race at the Hungarian Grand Prix today (Sunday), having won the sprint race at Silverstone earlier this month.