A possible exit of Max Verstappen from Formula 1 continues to generate debates in the category’s paddock, and Helmut Marko admitted that the category would suffer a great loss without the four-time champion. Still, the former Red Bull Racing consultant believes that F1 would be able to find a new star if the Dutchman decides to leave the grid in the coming years.
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Doubts about Verstappen’s future have increased since the start of the 2026 season. Besides the difficulties faced by Red Bull with the RB22, important changes in the team and the driver’s dissatisfaction with the new technical regulations have fueled speculation about a possible exit from the category.
Among the factors mentioned are the departure of engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to McLaren from 2028, and the constant criticisms from the Dutch driver about the current power unit format. Verstappen even compared the new rules to the video game ‘Mario Kart’, and after the Japanese GP, questioned whether competing under this regulation is really ‘worth it’.
Despite changes promoted by the FIA and the category before the Miami GP and the changes already planned for 2027, when the power split between combustion and electric energy will go from 50:50 to 60:40 in favor of the combustion engine, the Dutchman remains unhappy: “You still have to go slower in some places to be faster. That’s not how I would like to see it. It’s still punishing you,” Verstappen said.
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Marko supported the driver’s criticisms and showed concern about the direction of the category. In an interview with Sport.de, the Austrian said the problem goes beyond the four-time champion’s personal preferences: “Max’s departure would certainly be a big loss, but that’s how sport is. When someone leaves, another appears and becomes the star. But it’s not just about whether Max likes it or not. It’s about the racing,” he said.
The former executive believes the current regulations make it difficult to have ‘pure racing’ in Formula 1. According to Marko, the constant need for energy management has caused complaints from drivers both in qualifying sessions and races and even in safety-related situations.
He also critically evaluated the changes introduced for the Miami race: “What was started in the short term is far from enough to put the category back on the right track. To what extent we can return to pure racing, I don’t know,” concluded the 82-year-old Austrian.
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