Marko Questions Red Bull Role After Abu Dhabi

Helmut Marko, Red Bull's longtime advisor, left his future with the team in doubt after Abu Dhabi by stating he would "sleep over" discussions about his role. The 79-year-old's uncharacteristic hesitation—following a season of internal turbulence—immediately sparked paddock speculation about leadership changes ahead of F1's 2026 regulation overhaul.

Why it matters:

Marko's potential exit would mark the end of an era for Red Bull, which he helped transform from a backmarker to a dominant force with four consecutive constructors' titles. His departure during a critical technical transition period could destabilize the Milton Keynes outfit's strategic direction just as rivals intensify development for the new era.

The details:

• Marko avoided confirming or denying his continuation, telling reporters: "It’s not in doubt, but I will have a discussion and then I see what I do. It’s a complex [set] of different things."
• Team principal Laurent Mekies—appointed after Horner's midseason exit—acknowledged inevitable organizational shifts: "F1 is not a static environment. You always adjust your organisations," while praising Marko’s support during the team’s recovery.
• Emotional toll: Max Verstappen revealed his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase endured "a tough" season, missing two races for personal reasons. The Dutchman called Lambiase "a proper example of someone that never gave up," highlighting their friendship beyond professional ties.
• Restructuring signals: Mekies emphasized continuous operational reviews across "technical" and "sporting" departments, though he clarified this wasn’t specific to Marko. His comments align with Red Bull’s pattern of decisive leadership changes during crises.

What's next:

Marko’s decision will likely hinge on Red Bull’s strategic alignment for 2026, when radical power unit regulations take effect. If he steps aside, the team risks losing institutional knowledge critical for navigating the technical overhaul—yet his departure could also accelerate Mekies’ full authority over operations.

• Internal dynamics remain fragile after a season featuring Horner’s exit, midseason performance slumps, and Verstappen’s narrow title loss.
• Any leadership change announcement would probably come before February’s pre-season testing, giving the team time to stabilize before the new campaign.
• The outcome will signal whether Red Bull prioritizes continuity or fresh direction as it battles Mercedes and Ferrari for supremacy in the next technical era.