Marko praises Verstappen's 'super' drive but concedes Red Bull strategy was powerless against McLaren

Max Verstappen's valiant late-season charge fell agonizingly short at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with his victory not enough to prevent Lando Norris from securing his maiden Formula 1 World Championship. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko praised his driver's "super" performance but conceded the team's strategic hands were tied against a clever McLaren operation.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's defeat ends his historic run of four consecutive world titles, marking a significant power shift in Formula 1. McLaren's first drivers' championship since 2008, achieved through tactical brilliance and a two-car strategy, demonstrates that beating a dominant force like Red Bull requires more than just speed—it demands perfect execution from an entire team.

The details:

• Verstappen needed a win in Abu Dhabi to have any chance, which he delivered from pole position, but Norris only required a podium finish to seal the title.
• Marko stated the race was effectively "one Red Bull against two McLarens," with the Austrian squad hoping for more competitive pace from Ferrari and Mercedes to disrupt McLaren's hold on the positions behind.
• McLaren's Masterstroke: The pivotal moment came when McLaren split strategies, putting Oscar Piastri on a hard tyre compound. This clever move neutralized Red Bull's only potential tactic: bunching up the field with a slow pace to compromise Norris.
  • As Marko explained, slowing down would have primarily benefited Piastri on the more durable hard tyres, making the strategy counterproductive for Red Bull.
• Lack of External Pressure: Marko pointed out that Ferrari and Mercedes "were not strong enough" to apply sustained pressure on Norris, with Charles Leclerc's Ferrari reportedly losing tyre performance after just five or six laps.

The big picture:

The 2025 season was a roller-coaster, with Verstappen erasing a 104-point deficit to fight for the title on the final day—a near-mythical comeback that ultimately fell two points short. While Red Bull can take pride in that remarkable fightback, the defeat underscores the critical importance of having two competitive cars in a title fight. McLaren's ability to use Piastri strategically as a buffer proved decisive, a tool Red Bull did not have at its disposal.

What's next:

An era of Verstappen and Red Bull dominance has closed, ushering in a new champion and confirming McLaren's return to the summit of the sport. The focus now shifts to 2026, where Red Bull will aim to reclaim its crown, while McLaren faces the challenge of defending its hard-won title against a surely motivated rival.