Red Bull face huge issue to tie down Max Verstappen as Marko makes contract admission

Red Bull are set to face a huge issue to tie down Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen, after team advisor Helmut Marko made a worrying confession about the Dutchman's demands.

Verstappen secured his maiden world championship last month, as he pipped Lewis Hamilton on the very final lap of the season to claim the title in dramatic fashion in Abu Dhabi.

Following his first F1 title, the Dutchman revealed he was looking to remain with Red Bull for many years to come, and this was echoed by team principal Christian Horner.

At the end of season awards in Paris last month Horner revealed: "I look forward to racing with Max for many years to come and I believe the best years are very much still to come."

Despite already holding a lucrative deal that is said to be around £18.7 million per year, along with a race win bonus of £750,000 Red Bull are said to be in talks to improve his package.

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Talking to Austrian magazine Autorevue Marko confirmed: "We will have talks with Max in the next few weeks.

"His manager [Raymond Vermeulen] was difficult to contact because his son was at the 24-hour race in Dubai [in mid-January] together with Jos [Verstappen]."

However there is some doubt over a new deal for the Dutchman, after Marko revealed Verstappen's improved demands could well pass his team's limits.

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He commented: "With Verstappen, we are already close to this limit. There will be an end at some point."

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