Marko's Red Bull Exit Could Trigger Verstappen Departure, Says Coronel
Tim Coronel claims Helmut Marko's exit from Red Bull has set in motion Max Verstappen's eventual departure, citing their inseparable bond and Verstappen's past insistence on a stable, harmonious team environment. With both Marko and Christian Horner now gone, the team's culture has fundamentally shifted.
Dutch racing driver Tim Coronel believes the departure of Helmut Marko from Red Bull has "triggered" the eventual exit of Max Verstappen from the reigning Constructors' champions. The exit of the influential motorsport advisor, announced after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, removes a key pillar of support for the three-time world champion, who has previously linked his own future to Marko's presence at the team.
Why it matters:
Marko was not just an advisor but a central figure in Verstappen's career and a guarantor of the "harmonious environment" the driver values. His exit, following Christian Horner's earlier departure, strips Red Bull of its two most defining leadership figures in a short period. For Verstappen, who has consistently prioritized team stability and loyalty, this represents a significant cultural shift that could influence his long-term commitment.
The details:
- Coronel stated in an interview that "The departure of Helmut Marko has triggered the departure of Max Verstappen," framing it as a consequential domino effect.
- The bond between Marko and Verstappen is described as inseparable, forged from their first meeting. Coronel called them "two hands in one."
- Verstappen's loyalty was publicly tested during Red Bull's 2024 internal power struggle, where he strongly suggested he would leave the team if the 82-year-old Austrian was forced out.
- While Marko has insisted his departure was on his own terms and that Verstappen will be unaffected, his own past comments contradict this. He previously told Austrian media that Verstappen "wants to be successful in a harmonious environment" and would "quit overnight" if that was lost.
- Coronel emphasized Marko's unique legacy, calling him "the father and birthplace of new, talented F1 drivers" and a more significant figure than the ousted Christian Horner, whom he said he does not miss.
What's next:
The immediate focus is on whether the post-Marko (and post-Horner) Red Bull can maintain the performance and, crucially, the culture that Verstappen requires. While a sudden departure is unlikely in the short term, Marko's exit plants a seed of instability. Verstappen's contract runs through 2028, but his history shows that contractual terms are secondary to his personal and professional comfort. The 2026 season and the new regulations will be a key litmus test; if Red Bull falters or the internal environment becomes contentious, the trigger Coronel references may well be pulled.