‘There’s always a space for Seb’ – Verstappen backs Vettel over possible Red Bull advisory role

Max Verstappen has thrown his support behind Sebastian Vettel after the legendary German driver confirmed talks with Helmut Marko about one day taking on an advisory role at Red Bull Racing.

Vettel has a deep, successful connection with Red Bull, earning the team’s first F1 pole position and race win back in 2009, and becoming their maiden World Champion a year later – kicking off a run of four straight title-winning seasons.

He left the Milton Keynes-based squad at the end of the 2014 campaign, completing stints at Ferrari and Aston Martin, before retiring from the sport at the end of 2022 with 53 victories, 122 podium finish and 57 poles to his name.

Now, the 37-year-old has openly admitted to conversations with long-time Red Bull junior chief Marko, 82, about the possibility of stepping into the Austrian’s shoes when he decides to step away from F1.

Speaking in an appearance on ORF TV’s Sport am Sonntag podcast, Vettel explained: “There have been a few headlines recently. I still get along great with Helmut, and we’re in contact regarding the topic.”

He added: “[Talks are] not yet that intensive or in-depth, it’s perhaps something that could play a role. In what form remains to be seen.”

Quizzed about those comments ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, fellow four-time World Champion Verstappen gave his seal of approval to such a scenario – should Vettel ultimately decide to go down that route.

“I mean, it’s more than normal that someone that has achieved so much with Red Bull, has been brought up by Red Bull, that… in a sense there’s always a spot available, right?” Verstappen said.

“I think also Seb always kept a really good relationship with Helmut anyway, even when he left. I’m sure that there’s always a space for Seb, in any kind of form.”

Since vacating a race seat, Vettel has maintained an F1 paddock presence in various ways, including sustainability initiatives, tributes to Ayrton Senna that he organised in Imola and Sao Paulo last year, and a recent karting-based Race4Women event in Saudi Arabia.