In terms of sport, the Formula 1 racing team Red Bull Racing is back on track this season, but behind the scenes things continue to go wrong. The overarching question is: Will the team also lose Max Verstappen after Adrian Newey?

The future of the Dutch three-time champion at Red Bull is in the hands of Helmut Marko. The reason: There is a clause in Verstappen’s contract that allows him to leave early if Marko also leaves the racing team. It’s clear now that the man from Austria leaves his own future entirely to Verstappen.

As the BBC reports with reference to its own information, Marko has promised the Dutchman that he will do what the 26-year-old wants. If Verstappen wants to leave Red Bull, Marko will give up his position at the Red Bull team for his sake in order to pave the way for Verstappen’s farewell.

 

 

 

Verstappen fleeing Red Bull’s new engines?

The chances of this are high. According to the BBC, there are certainly doubts in the Verstappen camp about Red Bull’s new engine manufacturer. It is still completely unclear how the company’s own power units, which will be used from 2026, will perform.

There have been rumours circulating in the paddock for some time that Red Bull is lagging behind the competition here. This will undoubtedly lead to Verstappen and thus also Marko’s farewell.

Certainly, Red Bull Racing is making a bold move. The team is poised to make a groundbreaking transition by developing its own engine. This strategic pivot is aimed at not only complying with the new regulations but also gaining a competitive edge in the hybrid era of Formula 1. 

 

 

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2026 Engine Regulation

The 2026 engine regulations introduce several key changes. There is an increased focus on hybridisation, with a greater emphasis on electrical power contributing to the car’s overall performance. Environmental sustainability is also a core aspect, mandating the use of advanced sustainable fuels and aiming to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint.

Additionally, the regulations include measures such as standardised parts and restrictions on certain developments, which will level the playing field and reduce the financial burden on teams.

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Red Bull and Ford’s Collaboration

The collaboration between Red Bull Racing and Ford Motor Company is particularly noteworthy. Ford, with its extensive experience in electric vehicle technology, is said to be primarily focusing on the electrical drive components of the hybrid system.

Ford’s involvement primarily revolves around enhancing the electrical systems, which could include advancements in energy recovery, storage solutions, and efficiency improvements. Red Bull Racing will need to integrate these innovations seamlessly with their own developments in combustion engines and overall power unit design.

Developing their own engine puts Red Bull Racing in a unique position to tailor-make their power units to perfectly suit their chassis and racing strategy. This gives them a significant competitive advantage, allowing them more flexibility and agility in adapting to race conditions and regulations.

Having complete control over the powertrain allows for better integration and optimisation with the car’s design and aerodynamics. Leveraging Ford’s expertise in electrical components will undoubtedly lead to pioneering advancements in F1 hybrid technology.

With the current rumour that progress has been slow behind closed doors at Red Bull, questions are being raised about confidence of the Verstappen camp on this big 2026 overhaul.

Red Bull exodus, another set to follow Newey

 

 

 

What happens next in the “Horner affair”?

Another topic that hovers over the racing team is the so called “Horner affair”. The second internal investigation is currently underway. The BBC reports that justice will be meted out with a similar result to the first time: an acquittal for the team boss.

The BBC reports that the final word on the matter has still not been uttered. In the event of another Horner acquittal, there will be “further developments,” the BBC writes, without going into further details. However, there has been speculation for some time that the currently released Red Bull employee will go to an official court. Then the case will take on a whole new dimension.

Father Jos Verstappen has already explained several times that he will not accept a further escalation. He is considered one of Horner’s biggest opponents in the team and has already publicly warned that the team could fall apart but recent developments from within the Red Bull company as a whole might suggest otherwise.

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Red Bull civil war over?

Internal strife has plagued Red Bull’s parent company following the death of its charismatic founder, Dietrich Mateschitz. Tensions have escalated within the organisation, leading to a concocted lawsuit against team principal Christian Horner, allegedly instigated by a minority faction of Austrian shareholders seeking his removal. This discord has drawn clear battle lines within the company. Battlelines that would be uncomfortable for Newey.

But recently, Horner has found support from the Thai majority shareholder, despite criticism from Jos Verstappen, who accuses him of dividing the team. The announcement of Newey’s departure particularly alarmed Max Verstappen’s father, who expressed fears that the team could disintegrate: “The team is in danger of falling apart. I was afraid of that at the beginning of the year. It is crucial for internal harmony that key figures stay,” reported De Telegraaf during the weekend of the Miami Grand Prix.

 

 

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Newey leaves whilst Mintzlaff hesitates to support Horner

Newey’s decision to leave seemed to exacerbate the existing factional conflict, although he did not explicitly blame internal discord for his departure. Instead, he cited exhaustion as a contributing factor, echoing Forrest Gump’s words, “I’m feeling a little tired…” He admitted during a SKY interview, that the internal dynamics had been on his mind for some time, particularly since the winter, and hinted at deeper issues without going into detail.

Adrian Newey’s departure underlines the challenges of managing the ongoing power struggle within Red Bull. That struggle was on display when Oliver Mintzlaff, head of the Austrian faction, hesitated to publicly support Horner amid the turmoil at the Jeddah race.

Red Bull civil war over as Austrian’s publicly back Horner

 

 

 

 

CEO backs Horner

Although Mintzlaff usually keeps a low profile, his presence at this season’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and subsequent rare interview with Bild suggested a strategic endorsement of Horner’s leadership: “I am convinced that he [Horner] will lead the Red Bull F1 team to long-term success. He has only the success of the team in mind and is a very good CEO,” Mintzlaff said.

Despite these assurances, the departure of a key figure such as Newey raises concerns about the future stability and success of the team. While Mintzlaff regrets the loss of Newey, he remains confident in the team’s technical infrastructure. As Red Bull continues to dominate for now, the direction it will take without Newey’s guidance remains a critical question for the team’s future trajectory and will be on the minds of Verstappen and his biggest advocate, Dr Helmut Marko.

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The headlines following Formula One’s visit to Miami in 2024 are all about the maiden victory for Land Norris. The McLaren driver holds the record for the most podiums before claiming an F1 win but his win in the state of Florida was certainly no fluke.

McLaren had brought almost a B-Spec car for Norris to Miami but  his team mate had to be content with receiving just half the number of upgrades. Practice One on Friday was a frenetic affair as the team tried to find the base line setup for the weekend and when the one hour session was complete, Lando languished down in…READ MORE ON THIS STORY