Max Verstappen indicated he would welcome fellow world champion Sebastian Vettel back to Red Bull in a leadership or advisory capacity.
Vettel, who secured four consecutive drivers` championships for Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, recently mentioned he is engaged in initial discussions with Helmut Marko regarding potentially succeeding the Austrian in an advisor role for the team.
Marko, known for his significant role in guiding drivers through the Red Bull junior program into Formula 1, has a contract that expires at the end of 2026. At 84 years old by then, he has not yet confirmed his plans beyond that date.
Speaking about Vettel ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen stated: “It`s more than normal that someone who has achieved so much with Red Bull, has been brought up by Red Bull… in a sense there`s always a spot available.”
“I think Seb always kept a really good relationship with Helmut, even when he left,” Verstappen added. “I didn`t know that they were talking but I`m sure there`s always a space for Seb in any kind of form.”
Vettel spent six seasons with Red Bull before moving to Ferrari in 2015. Verstappen was then promoted to the main Red Bull team during the 2016 season.
Following six seasons at Ferrari, where he did not secure another title, Vettel concluded his F1 career after two seasons with Aston Martin, retiring at the end of the 2022 season.
Earlier this week, Vettel commented on the possibility of returning in an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF: “I don`t know. There have been some headlines and I still get on really well with Helmut. We`re also in contact about this, though maybe not so intensively or in-depth yet, but it`s possible. What form that might take will have to be seen.”
Verstappen Addresses Perez Comments: `Great Relationship` Intact
During the same press conference, Verstappen was questioned about remarks made by his former Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, during a recent podcast appearance.
Among other things, Perez suggested that Verstappen tends to “hold things in” before showing them on track, referencing a rare on-track clash between them during their four seasons together.
Verstappen dismissed the notion that Perez`s words were accurately portrayed by the media, emphasizing that he maintains a “great relationship” with his former teammate.
“I think how you word it is not how he meant it,” Verstappen said. “I have a great relationship with Checo. We`ve always been great team-mates. I have a lot of respect for him, he has a lot of respect for me, and that`s it from my side.”
He continued: “I`m looking forward to hopefully seeing him again soon in the paddock. I still need to give him a helmet of mine. I promised him that. He gave me one of his with a very nice message on it, and I promised him, hopefully around Mexico, that I can give him mine.”
“Whatever is written in the media, I know how Checo is and we have a great relationship,” Verstappen concluded.
