Helmut Marko rules out Max Verstappen skipping F1 races for endurance ambitions

“Marko’s greatest career achievements in his own racing days were in sports car racing. So, he’s like, yeah, Helmut knows endurance, he loves it too, he’s really up for this as well.”

“So I doubt that would extend to even Helmut Marko saying, yes, skip a couple of Grand Prixs, even if Red Bull does struggle next year.”

“And Max himself was very clear in saying I don’t know what 2026 will look like for the new rules or my team or whatever.”

“Before he commits to Nurburgring next year, he wants to see what’s required of him in F1 in terms of focus as much as anything else. But yeah you don’t get the impression Red Bull will stand in the way of anything much here.”

Which World Endurance Championship events could Max Verstappen compete in next season?

The World Endurance Championship is the ultimate target for Verstappen, though it’s a big leap from what he experienced at the Nordschleife last weekend.

Marko has already dismissed the idea of Verstappen racing at Le Mans, which coincides with the Spanish Grand Prix.

There are seven other rounds outside Le Mans, including the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, held at Verstappen’s favourite Formula 1 circuit.

That event takes place between Miami and Montreal. He could also travel to Sao Paulo in July during a break in the European leg of the 2026 F1 season for the championship’s fifth round.

It makes sense that Verstappen wouldn’t want to spend his entire career in Formula 1. When he decides to step away from chasing more F1 titles, it will be one of the more intriguing stories developing quietly around the paddock.

But given his other interests in motorsport, it’s unlikely he’ll try to match Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton’s longevity in F1.