Marko: Red Bull must deliver competitive 2026 power unit to keep Verstappen happy

Helmut Marko, the former Red Bull motorsport advisor, has stated that the team must continue to provide Max Verstappen with a top-tier power unit under the new 2026 regulations to retain its star driver. This comes as Verstappen has openly questioned his future in Formula 1 if the new era of cars is not enjoyable to drive.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's happiness and continued presence at Red Bull are intrinsically linked to the team's technical competitiveness, especially with the massive regulatory shift in 2026. His potential departure would create a seismic shift in the driver market and jeopardize Red Bull's long-term championship aspirations, making the success of their new Red Bull Powertrains division a critical business and sporting imperative.

The details:

• Marko, speaking after initial pre-season testing, acknowledged that Mercedes appears to have a slight advantage with its 2026 power unit but emphasized that translating that into success depends on multiple factors, including fuel.
• He directly linked Red Bull's in-house engine performance to Verstappen's satisfaction, stating the team has done well so far "– and they need to if they want to keep Verstappen happy."
• Verstappen's contract runs until the end of 2028, but he has consistently placed a condition on his future, stating last year that it "will depend on the new rules in 2026, and if they are nice and fun."
• After early running in Bahrain, Verstappen offered a blunt initial review of the new-generation cars, admitting the driving experience was "not a lot of fun."
• The four-time champion has also downplayed the pursuit of records, stating he could "leave the sport easily tomorrow" and that winning a seventh title is "not something I need to do."

What's next:

The pressure is now squarely on Red Bull Powertrains to develop and refine its Ford-collaboration engine into a race-winning package. The 2026 season will serve as the ultimate litmus test not only for the new technical regulations but also for Verstappen's career trajectory. If the car and power unit meet his high standards for performance and drivability, he is likely to see out his contract. If not, the team risks triggering an early search for a successor to its most successful driver ever.