Helmut Marko Admits Red Bull ‘Counting on’ Max Verstappen for 2026 Title Fight

Red Bull Motorsport Consultant Dr. Helmut Marko made a bold confession on the team's dependence on Max Verstappen.

Helmut Marko Admits Red Bull ‘Counting on’ Max Verstappen for 2026 Title Fight

Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Getty)

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Max Verstappen is the driving force at Red Bull Racing. Since 2019, the reigning world champion has been the sole torch bearer for Milton Keynes at the front of the grid. While the energy drinks giant has fallen behind McLaren this season, Dr. Helmut Marko believes that Verstappen can turn things around next year.

The 2026 F1 season will witness one of the biggest technical shake-ups in the sport’s history, with new cars and new power units. It will be crucial for Red Bull to have a good start to this new era. Milton Keynes has managed to confirm Max Verstappen for next season after persistent rumors over the Dutchman potentially wanting to join Mercedes.

Helmut Marko confessed that the Austrian team was indeed putting its hopes on Max Verstappen for keeping it in the title race next year. The 82-year-old pointed out that such a scenario will also prevent any more speculation over the four-time world champion’s future in the sport.

We’re counting on being in the lead with Max again next season so we don’t hear about his stipulations again.

Helmut Marko told Krone

Marko claimed that so far, Red Bull was seeing encouraging figures with its 2026 development, certainly a positive sign for the team. However, the Austrian admitted that it was still early days, and testing would be the first real Indication of the car’s performance. He even named the four factors related to the power unit that could make or break the season for any team.

The values we currently find are promising and there is still a lot of time left for testing. We are well underway with the chassis and the quality of the power unit will be decided by four factors, namely internal combustion engine, battery, petrol and fuel supply.

Helmut Marko added

Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen don’t want Mercedes dominance repeat in 2026

In 2014, Formula 1 introduced the controversial Turbo Hybrid power units. Mercedes was leaps ahead of the competition, with no other manufacturer even coming close to the performance of the Silver Arrows. This led to an era of dominance of the German carmaker in Formula 1.

Max Verstappen and George Russell
Max Verstappen and George Russell (RN365)

Helmut Marko admitted that he was concerned about such a scenario next year. However, the 82-year-old hoped that no manufacturer would have such a massive horsepower advantage.

I hope there will be no repeat of what happened in 2014 when Mercedes had 50 to 70 more horsepower. 

Helmut Marko added

Red Bull is developing its own power-units for the first time in history. This is part of a collaboration with Ford, titled, ‘Red Bull Ford Powertrains.’ Albeit, this was the brainchild of former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. Nevertheless, this partnership could finally bring Milton Keynes on par with the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari for power unit development.

Certainly, Max Verstappen will bear the responsibility of taking Red Bull to the front of the grid next season. Milton Keynes is yet to even name his teammate for the following year. Yuki Tsunoda is going to remain at Milton Keynes at least till the end of this season. However, there’s no guarantee that he will secure a place for 2026.

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