"Substantial funding" will ensure Verstappen's presence in F1 - Marko.

      "I’m not going to comment on that."

      Max Verstappen once again declined to elaborate on his Formula 1 future during a press event in Spa on Thursday, as the retired Dr. Helmut Marko continued to downplay speculation regarding their recent meeting in Amsterdam. The four-time world champion has been frequently associated with McLaren in recent weeks, while reports indicate that his relationship with Red Bull may have soured following Silverstone. When directly asked in the FIA press conference if he would still be with Red Bull in 2027, Verstappen did not provide a definitive answer. "I don’t want to go into a yes or no, this or that discussion about my future," he stated. Later, when Dutch journalists attempted to bring up the topic again, Verstappen dismissed it. "I’m not going to say anything about that anyway," he remarked.

      Meanwhile, retired Red Bull advisor Marko again refuted claims that his meeting in Amsterdam with Jos Verstappen and manager Raymond Vermeulen was related to the ongoing rumors. "It's unbelievable all this fuss considering I visit the Verstappens once a year," he told Austria's Kronen Zeitung, adding with a smile, "Jos is a really big name in the Netherlands - and maybe I am too." Marko also minimized the importance of Verstappen's widely discussed performance-related exit clause. "Such provisions are included in every contract," he explained. "But of course, you can also talk about it."

      Despite Verstappen's ongoing criticism of the current Formula 1 regulations, Marko does not anticipate him leaving the sport. "Real racing with a V8 engine should commence in 2030 or 2031," he said. "Until then, Max has to endure. The significant money is in Formula 1. Therefore, I expect we will still see Max in the top category after his Red Bull contract ends in 2028."

      Ironically, amid the McLaren rumors, Verstappen confirmed a new partnership between his Verstappen.com Racing program and McLaren junior Dries Van Langendonck. "I think it's exciting to help and guide him, obviously in collaboration with McLaren to make the right decisions for his future," Verstappen remarked. This development comes as Oscar Piastri continues to be linked to a potential switch to Red Bull if Verstappen joins McLaren. "Max clearly feels he’s not in an advantageous position right now and is exploring options," Piastri said. "That was the case with him and Mercedes last year, so this isn't new. I trust what Zak (Brown) and Andrea (Stella) have shared with me, as well as their confidence in me."

      When questioned about Verstappen’s situation and whether it concerns him, Piastri responded: "I don't know. It's important for everyone to be aware of the situation and understand the driver market. So, gathering information is beneficial."

      Meanwhile, Haas’ Oliver Bearman also addressed rumors linking him to Verstappen’s Red Bull seat. "It's nice to hear stories like that," the Ferrari junior stated. "Red Bull has experienced tremendous success, so even being associated with the team, even if it's just rumors, feels great."