Helmut Marko hints age will be key factor in picking Max Verstappen teammate

The age of Purple Bull’s subsequent driver can be taken under consideration, Helmut Marko has hinted.

Though there have been wobbles about Max Verstappen’s future with Purple Bull after the revelation that he might give up through a contractual clause if Marko additionally leaves, he has reaffirmed his loyalty.

Verstappen is contracted till 2028 however teammate Sergio Perez’s deal will expire on the finish of this season.

Perez has began the season nicely amid enormous stress from rival drivers who covet his seat.

“Sergio is in an excellent place in the meanwhile,” Marko stated to Sky Germany forward of the Australian Grand Prix.

“The query of who ought to exchange Perez does not actually come up.

“Nevertheless it’s concerning the future. Perez is now not the youngest, neither is Daniel Ricciardo.

“And in the event you then take different features under consideration, one other driver might actually be included on this course of.”

Perez and RB driver Ricciardo are each 34, among the many elder statesmen of the present F1 grid.

Ricciardo entered 2024 hoping to show his price within the RB to then soar into the Purple Bull subsequent yr, however his type has tailed off since his spectacular comeback with AlphaTauri final yr.

Purple Bull junior Liam Lawson, aged 22, was talked about to Marko.

“He has to sit down within the automotive first and show himself,” Marko stated.

“However what he confirmed in his appearances [in 2023] was very promising.”

Lawson deputised with nice aplomb for the injured Ricciardo for AlphaTauri final yr.

The motion behind younger drivers has elevated after Ollie Bearman’s fruitful Ferrari debut, and the hype round Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

However Purple Bull might additionally search Alex Albon or Carlos Sainz, who’re each of their 20s, in the event that they choose to do away with Perez subsequent yr.