Helmut Marko has disclosed where Max Verstappen will race once he retires from F1.
Verstappen’s long-term future in grand prix racing has been uncertain at times due to his frustration with certain aspects of F1, including sprint races and events like Las Vegas, which he described last year as “99 percent show, one percent sport.”
The 26-year-old, whose current Red Bull contract expires at the end of the 2028 season when he will be 31, has indicated he does not wish to continue racing in F1 into his late 30s and early 40s, unlike Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen has interests outside of F1, such as sim racing, but Red Bull advisor Marko believes he will head to one of motorsport’s iconic events after retiring from F1.
“First of all, I’m not looking for a new Max because Max is unique, and it will be difficult for anyone to be his team-mate,” Marko told grandprix247.com.
“Maybe Liam Lawson or Arvid Lindblad will be ready in two or three years for Red Bull Racing, and I’m not sure if Max will be racing at the time.
“If Max feels he doesn’t enjoy F1 anymore and doesn’t want it, he will come to us and say, ‘Thank you, that’s it.’
“He will stay in racing [after leaving F1].
“I guess one of his dreams is to go to Le Mans with [father] Jos. That will be an experience.
“I don’t want to be the team principal there because of those two strong characters, but it could be a fantastic experience.”