Steiner: Red Bull will 'cope' without Marko, but a phone call could bring him back
Ex-F1 boss Guenther Steiner says Red Bull is strong enough to cope without Helmut Marko but suggests the advisor could be recalled if needed in 2026, highlighting the team's established structure under Laurent Mekies.
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes Red Bull Racing will not be worse off following Helmut Marko's departure, citing the team's strong, established structure under CEO Laurent Mekies. However, Steiner suggested that if the team feels something is missing during the 2026 season, a simple phone call could see the influential Austrian advisor return to lend his experience.
Why it matters:
Marko has been a cornerstone of Red Bull's F1 success for over two decades, playing a key role in talent scouting and team strategy. His exit marks the end of a significant era, but Steiner's comments highlight a belief in the team's institutional strength and its ability to transition smoothly under its current leadership.
The details:
- Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner stated the team is "well established" and knows what it wants under Mekies's leadership, who has "done a good job" since taking over.
- He directly linked Marko's departure to the advisor's age and the increasing difficulty of the full travel schedule, framing it as a practical decision.
- Steiner emphasized that the door remains open, noting, "If something happens, Helmut Marko can always come back." He suggested a mid-season review in 2026 could trigger his return if the team felt his guidance was needed.
- This perspective comes after Marko himself took partial blame for Max Verstappen narrowly losing the 2025 drivers' title, admitting the team did not provide a consistently competitive car.
The big picture:
Steiner's analysis downplays the risk of a leadership crisis at Red Bull, projecting confidence in the post-Marko/Max Verstappen era under Mekies. It frames Marko's role as a valuable, call-upon resource rather than an irreplaceable daily fixture, suggesting Red Bull's succession planning is viewed as robust within the F1 paddock.
What's next:
All eyes will be on Red Bull's performance and internal dynamics in 2026. The true test of Steiner's theory will be whether the team maintains its competitive edge and operational sharpness without Marko's daily presence, and if any early-season struggles would prompt that speculated phone call for his return.