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Marko: Keeping Verstappen past 2021 “a difficult story” if Honda leaves F1

Marko: Keeping Verstappen past 2021 “a difficult story” if Honda leaves F1

31-01-2020 18:37
1

Bevan Youl

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko has hinted that keeping Max Verstappen past 2021 could be “a difficult story” despite his contract if engine manufacturer Honda leaves Formula 1.

Verstappen signed a lengthy contract extension with Red Bull earlier this month, keeping him with the team until the end of the 2023 season.
 
But their current engine supplier, Honda, are only contracted to be with the team until the end of 2021, with Marko stating that the Dutchman’s new contract is fixed “in principle”.
 
"In principle, this contract is fixed,” he said to Motorsport-Magazin. “With a normal course everything is arranged.

"We now have a contract with Honda until 2021. And a Formula 1 car without an engine, that will of course be a difficult story.

"So it's clear that we need a competitive engine [to keep Verstappen]."

The possibility of this doesn’t faze Marko at the moment as they are focused on making Verstappen the youngest F1 champion.

"We are especially happy, this [Verstappen's contract] gives us stability and gives the entire team an incredible amount of motivation," he added.

"It is our big goal for Max, who also started with us in Formula 1, to become the youngest ever F1 world champion."