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Helmut Marko says Max Verstappen is worth up to ’18 seconds’ per race on pure talent. That could be how much time Red Bull will lose if he leaves the team.
Speculation around the four-time champion’s future in F1 will dominate the paddock throughout the 2026 season. Verstappen has been threatening to quit the sport over the regulation changes, as he hates the electrical side of the power unit.
If he does not retire, many have questioned whether he will stay with Red Bull. While they have been declared as the fastest engine through ADUO, the Dutchman has scored only one podium so far, and the team have been prohibited from bringing extra upgrades.
Helmut Marko says Max Verstappen is worth ’18 seconds’ per race
Should Verstappen leave Red Bull, which he is free to do in 2026 through a performance clause, it would obviously be devastating for the team. Despite their clear struggles with the RB22, he continues to overdrive the car and maximise performance.
This, according to Marko, is worth three tenths per lap in a race, which equates to 18 seconds over a 60-lap Grand Prix. It highlights just how damaging his exit would be.
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The former Red Bull chief advisor told F1-Insider: “Max is capable of driving at the limit every lap of the race. Nobody else can do that to the same extent.
“The decision-makers know this, not just those at Red Bull. We’re talking about roughly three-tenths of a second per lap that Max is capable of driving faster than anyone else.
“In a 60-lap race, this equates to a time advantage of 18 seconds. If this advantage had to be invested in technology, it would amount to a sum in the tens of millions.”
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Max Verstappen’s options for 2027 are dwindling fast
It is easy to say that there is no team on the grid that would not be interested in signing Verstappen. However, many outfits, especially those at the top, already have strong line-ups for 2027.
Mercedes seems the obvious destination for the 28-year-old, given the constant links since 2024. But Ralf Schumacher says Mercedes would be ‘crazy’ to sign Verstappen, as George Russell is the clear number two to Kimi Antonelli.
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According to the German, it would risk repeating their situation with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, as it would put unnecessary pressure on Antonelli. The Italian is in the form of his life, currently leading the championship by 66 points.
McLaren and Ferrari are likely off the table for Verstappen, with both teams having their drivers locked in 2027. Audi and Aston Martin are Verstappen’s only options for next season, meaning that he needs to seriously think about his future.
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