Helmut Marko made a projection of what the second half of the 2026 Formula 1 season could be like for Max Verstappen after a rather challenging first half with Red Bull.
Read more F1: McLaren evolves at Hungaroring, and Wolff warns of fluctuations between teams
In 11 races contested, the four-time world champion did not achieve any wins, reaching the podium only four times and appearing in fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
But if in 2025 the four-time champion managed to recover from a big disadvantage in the second half of the calendar, Marko does not believe the scenario will repeat. “They are not consistently fast,” he told Krone.
Read more F1: Williams boss faces criticism after disappointing performance in 2026
“Furthermore, things do not seem to be going entirely well between Max and the engineers. The competition from McLaren and Ferrari is very strong, and the car is too unstable. I certainly would not bet on that,” he added.
Still, the future of the four-time champion is being questioned. After having worked so many years with Max at Red Bull, Helmut hopes the driver stays next year. “I sincerely hope he stays,” he concluded.
Read more F1: Bearman admits lack of confidence after tough race in Hungary
