Max Verstappen blocked Sebastian Vettel's return to F1 after Red Bull requests
Max Verstappen might have had Sebastian Vettel as a Red Bull partner.
Max Verstappen’s success at Red Bull prevented Sebastian Vettel from making a surprise comeback, Helmut Marko has said. The Red Bull technical advisor has claimed that Vettel asked about returning to the Formula One grid but he will not get a seat alongside Verstappen.
Sergio Perez’s future remains in doubt despite signing a new contract until the end of 2026. The Mexican’s potential departure would open a seat at Red Bull, with Vettel a surprise contender after spending two years away from F1.
However, Marko thought the German might struggle with the pressure of racing alongside the three-time world champion Verstappen.
“Sebastian has already been away for two years,” the Austrian, 81, told F1 Insider.
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“[Nico] Hulkenberg has also been away for longer, but he’s not a four-time World Champion, so he’s even hungrier. And to be honest: Sebastian next to Max in the Red Bull? I didn’t want to do that to him.”
It comes after Marko revealed to Formula1.de that Vettel had asked several times if he could partner Verstappen. However, the 37-year-old was told such a move would not be possible.
“He has asked us again and again,” Marko said. “But next to Verstappen, I don’t think that would be a pleasant time for him.”
It is unclear if Perez will return to his Red Bull seat next season, although the lack of options on the market suggest he will. There also remains speculation over the future of Verstappen, who has struggled amid Red Bull’s recent dip in form and was out-driven by the Mercedes drivers at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Verstappen said of Mercedes’ performance in Belgium: “Better than expected. But on the other hand it is positive that it is McLaren one time and then Mercedes the next, so they can take points off each other. That's definitely what I need until the end of the season.”
He has also warned that the constructors’ and drivers’ championship is not wrapped up, with McLaren reducing Red Bull’s lead in both.
Verstappen continued: “Of course we want to win the constructors', but the moment we cannot win the races ourselves, then of course it becomes a difficult story. In the drivers' championship, of course, things are looking a bit more positive. Only, of course, we have to keep doing well there too," stressed the Red Bull driver.
"It might look like a big gap, but you only have to make one mistake or have one DNF and your lead is gone.”
