Marko Mulls Red Bull Exit After Title Disappointment

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Laurent Mekies publicly thanked advisor Helmut Marko for stabilizing the team mid-season, as the Austrian mulls stepping down after failing to secure Max Verstappen's fifth consecutive world title. Marko's contract runs through 2025 but he insists he needs to feel comfortable continuing in F1.

Why it matters:

Marko's potential departure would reshape Red Bull's leadership structure during a critical transition period. The 80-year-old has been instrumental in driver decisions for two decades, including Verstappen's promotion, but his reduced influence over the driver lineup this season signals shifting power dynamics within the organization.

The details:

• Marko's post-Abu Dhabi comments revealed deep disappointment: "It's bloody difficult to get a fifth championship in a row... It's a disappointment I didn't achieve the goal."
• When pressed on his future, he described his decision as a "complex set of different things" and stated he needs to "sleep on it" before deciding.
• Diminished authority: Marko has gradually lost direct control over driver decisions, an area where he previously held absolute power. Recent personnel changes occurred without his traditional veto.
• Mekies' praise focused specifically on Marko's role in mid-season recovery: "I can only thank Helmut for making what fundamentally looked like a difficult situation work with the squad."
• The French team principal clarified his past-tense phrasing wasn't a farewell, noting language barriers may have caused misinterpretation of his comments.

What's next:

The decision now rests entirely with Marko, who faces a pivotal choice about his legendary F1 career. His comments suggest the missed championship target weighs heavily, but Red Bull's internal restructuring may have already reduced his operational role.

• If Marko steps down, it would conclude a 25-year tenure where he became famous for blunt assessments and driver development.
• The team's handling of this transition will test Mekies' leadership as Red Bull prepares for 2026's major technical regulations overhaul.
• Verstappen's camp is monitoring the situation closely, as Marko remains one of the Dutchman's strongest advocates within the organization.