New rules, new engine, profound changes in the management team: Is things now going downhill for Red Bull in Formula 1? Dr. Helmut Marko has a clear opinion on this question.
“I see us well positioned for the difficult 2026 season. We have two good team bosses in Laurent Mekies and Alan Permane. Red Bull is making its own F1 engine for the first time in history, that’s a really big step. That involves certain risks, but that was also a motto between Didi Mateschitz (Red Bull founder, editor’s note) and me – no risk, no fun,” said the long-time motorsport boss “ServusTV”.
On the Red Bull home channel, Marko also looks back on his own farewell, which was announced shortly after the Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi. “I was surprised by the great response and actually had more to do than usual at this time,” said the 82-year-old Austrian.
Marko was “positively surprised” by the reactions to the end of his Formula 1 era. It shows that maybe they didn’t do everything wrong after all.
Formula 1: Marko expects “many more great things” from Verstappen
In the future, he will only occasionally follow the premier motorsport class locally. “Just like someone plans a vacation, I’m planning a race now,” said Marko. He particularly wants to visit the routes “where it’s not too far and where the fuss isn’t too big.”
Marko firmly believes that his Formula 1 “foster son” Max Verstappen will continue on his path without him in the future.
Video: Ex-F1 driver explains: That’s changing now
The 28-year-old Dutchman is “a four-time world champion and has since matured into one of the best drivers in the world. He doesn’t need me anymore,” emphasized the long-time Red Bull official. “He knows so much himself and has developed such incredible knowledge and skills. I believe we will see many more great feats from him.”