Red Bull motors🧔port advisor Helmut Mꦿarko has admitted his side were worried that Formula 1 rivals Mercedes would have targeted Max Verstappen had Lewis Hamilton decided to leave.

Earlier this week, Verstappen 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:signed a new multi-year contract to commit his future to Red Bull until the end of the 2023 season, putting an end to speculation suggesting could 🍸leave the Milton Keynes squad for eithe🐻r Mercedes or Ferrari.

Speaking to , Marko revealed Red Bull was keen to tie Verstappen down to a new deal amid fears he could emerge as Mercedes’ number one target to♔ replace Hamilton, who has been increasingly linked with a sensational switch to Ferrari in recent months.

“We 𒈔had a hard time guessing what the exact st😼ory was between Ferrari and Hamilton,” Marko said.

“But it was clear that Mercedes must act if Hamilton goes to Ferrari in 2021. And Max would have bee👍n the first driver they'd aim for.

“That was a very important step for us. Now ༒we can look to the f🐻uture with more confidence.”

Verstappen spoke of his belief in the Red Bull-Honda project, adding th🍰e team’s ꦅclear goal is to fight for the world title in 2020.

“Honda coming onboard and the progress we have made ove💙r the last 12 months gives me even more motiv♕ation and the belief that we can win together,” the Dutchman said.

“I respect 🅷the way Red Bull and Honda work together and from all s✅ides everyone is doing what they can to succeed. I want to win with Red Bull and our goal is of course to fight for a world championship together.”

Verstappen’s deal has somewhat sedated what was tꩲipped to be a 🃏busy driver market for 2021, with Hamilton also expected to remain at Mercedes.

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