Marko met with Max Verstappen's grandfather

Red Bull driver programme head Dr. Helmut Marko has confirmed that he recently met with the grandfather of teenage sensation Max Verstappen.

Max's grandfather Frans told De Telegraaf newspaper that he sought a meeting with Marko as he harboured fears over the impact that the behaviour of Jos Verstappen may have on his grandson's career.

"I took this step in Max's interest," Frans said, "because I fear for his career.

"The only thing I wanted to achieve was that Red Bull intervenes to protect Max from the constant misery caused by his father," he explained.

Marko confirmed that the meeting did indeed take place but moved to reassure Frans. "I made it clear that Red Bull has a contract only with Max, and everything else that happens in the family is not our business."