The hustle and bustle behind the scenes at the Red Bull Racing Formula One team has left deep scars. So deep, in fact, that even world champion Max Verstappen’s future whereabouts are uncertain. A close confidant of the Dutchman, Helmut Marko, has commented on the current situation and left a back door open for a change for the pair of them.
It is not yet clear where Max Verstappen will continue his F1 career. The Dutchman is contracted to Red Bull Racing until 2028, but has the option to leave the team earlier under certain circumstances.
One of those circumstances is reportedly a farewell to Helmut Marko. If he leaves the Red Bull team, Verstappen is likely to follow due to a much written about clause in the Dutchman’s most recent contract.
It is for this reason that there has been recent speculation about a double move to Mercedes. Both Marko and Verstappen. The speculation has been fuelled by Toto Wolff, who has already made room for his compatriot in the Silver Arrows.
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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 if true.
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. All without their Guru designer and habitual winner of any big F1 regulation change, Adrian Newey.
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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.
Newey leaves Red Bull
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.
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Marko hints at Newey’s next team
As Red Bull prepare for a future without their design star, the racing world is speculating about Newey’s next chapter. According to Sky Sports, both Ferrari and Aston Martin have expressed an interest in Newey, with Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll said to have made a lucrative offer to the 65-year-old engineer.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s advisor, hinted at Newey’s potential destination in his typically cryptic style.
“What colour do I see for Newey in the future? I think the red clashes a bit with the dark blue. But I think with a great colour like green anything is possible,” said Marko, alluding to Aston Martin’s iconic green.
As the F1 landscape prepares for these significant changes, all eyes will be on Adrian Newey’s next move and how Red Bull navigates this transitional period.
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Verstappen/Marko move to Mercedes is “not imminent”
So what remains of Verstappen and Marko? The scenario of a move to Mercedes is still a long way off, as Marko revealed to the oe24 website.
“That is not the case at the moment,” said the Austrian on the possibility of a double move. However, the Red Bull consultant could not or would not categorically rule out the possibility.
Between the lines, Marko made it clear that it all comes down to competitiveness. “Max wants to race where he has the best chance of winning,” said Marko, who added: “And right now that is Red Bull…”
How long the Red Bulls can maintain their status is anyone’s guess. The introduction of the new regulations for the 2026 season could put it in jeopardy. Marko is aware of this and speaks of a “break point” for Red Bull.
This makes the departure of Adrian Newey all the more bitter in the consultant’s eyes, something that Marko says has been “evident for some time” and has been “brought about on a number of occasions”.
Why will Red Bull pay dearly for Newey’s departure according to Marko?
“He is the best F1 designer and he was at his best when there were changes in the regulations because he always knew how to make the best use of the new interpretations,” said the Red Bull man.
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Since when has ‘reporting’ been based solely on supposition??!
If you have NOTHING concrete to report … keep your pen in your pocket!!