Marko: 'I hope Verstappen doesn't do the same as Rosberg'

Max Verstappen has a contract in Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing until 2028 and after that F1 season, the successful Dutch driver could well quit in the king class of motorsport. Team advisor Dr Helmut Marko is aware of it and is taking it into account.

So says the Austrian in the Inside Line Podcast. The two-time F1 champion also sees opportunities to pursue motorsport outside Formula 1 and has repeatedly revealed in the media that he does not want his F1 career to last too long. So Marko is seriously taking into account an early quitting of Verstappen and has apparently already thought about it.

Marko hopes Verstappen does not follow Rosberg's example

Marko says: "I'm aware of it. He doesn't go forever. I hope he doesn't do it like Nico [Rosberg] and just says it after a bad year. If he keeps us a warning, at least, than we can react to it. I know he won't stop racing completely. Think Le Mans and things like that. He is going to have fun and enjoy it."

The Austrian would understand Verstappen's decision not to continue in Formula 1 until he is 40. Marko "He will still do this sort of racing, but you cannot underestimate the pressure nowadays in Formula 1. It is 22 or 23 races, every week in the simulator, a lot PR activities. It's very hard work, it's stressful and that's understandable. I don't know when, so I just hope he fulfils his contract."