Changes at Red Bull? What's behind Helmut Marko's hint…

Red Bull has turned its 2025 season around in impressive fashion. Max Verstappen missed out on a fifth consecutive Formula 1 world title by just two points, but said that the turnaround itself was even more important than the final outcome of the title fight. The Dutchman added that the atmosphere within the team is now good again.

Marko hints at possible departure from Red Bull

Nonetheless, it doesn't mean that everything will remain exactly the same next year. Immediately after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Helmut Marko told Motorsport.com, among others, that he is not sure whether he will still be around in 2026, despite his original contract running for two years - and therefore also covering 2026.

“It's not in doubt, but I will have a discussion and then I see what I do,” he said at the Yas Marina Circuit. “It's a complex [set] of different things.” When asked what Marko himself would prefer, the 82-year-old replied: “I have to sleep over it and then will we see.”

Marko’s situation ties into the team’s wider structure, with the Austrian parent company taking firmer control this year. Red Bull must consider a sustainable leadership model that works long term. The Austrian has never hidden the fact that a fifth world title for Verstappen would be his ultimate dream and that he was already thinking about retirement whenever Verstappen himself would stop racing one day.

With discussions taking place over the winter, that day could come sooner than expected, although no matter the final outcome, Marko has played a fundamental role in Verstappen’s career. He offered the Dutchman an F1 seat for 2015, while Mercedes wanted Verstappen to spend a year in GP2. Verstappen has also repeatedly supported Marko – mainly in Saudi Arabia last year, when Marko’s position came under pressure amid the internal power struggles with Christian Horner.

On Sunday night, team principal Laurent Mekies also hinted at potential changes at Red Bull ahead of the 2026 season.

Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal (Photo by: Jayce Illman / Getty Images)

“Helmut has been incredible in how supportive he has been in helping us turning around things this year. Obviously, him and the top management had quite a few difficult decisions to make in the year, and of course we always have. But Formula 1 is not a static environment, you always adjust your organisations, and it applies to technical, it applies to sporting.

“It's completely normal that we review how we can improve the way we operate all the time. So I'm not saying that specifically for Helmut, but I'm saying that in general we are in an environment where we always challenge each other and look for the next steps, no matter how small it is in trying to work together. But I can only thank Helmut for the role he has played in making what looked like a difficult situation at the mid-season making work with the support.”

Lambiase emotional after difficult year

Marko’s future is not the only question mark heading into the winter break. Immediately after the Abu Dhabi GP, Gianpiero Lambiase appeared emotional on the Red Bull pitwall. It’s linked to personal conditions, which made this a particularly difficult year for the Italian and caused him to miss the Austrian and Belgian rounds. Simon Rennie stepped in for those weekends as Verstappen’s race engineer.

Motorsport.com has learned in the paddock that Lambiase’s specific role for next year is not yet fixed. Because of the private circumstances mentioned, it is a topic that Red Bull will discuss over the winter. Should the team find a suitable race engineer for Verstappen and a structure that all parties are comfortable with, Lambiase could potentially step back from his race engineering duties and continue at Red Bull in a more senior position - reportedly still trackside.

Team insiders emphasise that no decision has been made, and that given the situation, it may not be wise to make any quick choices during this difficult period.

Regarding Lambiase’s emotions, Verstappen said immediately after the race: “It’s been an emotional year. Forget about the results this year and I don’t want to go too much into detail, but it’s been tough. But I’m very happy to be able to work with someone that passionate. Of course, he is my race engineer, but I see him as my friend. We have lived through so many emotional things together and fantastic achievements.

“I’m sure he was a bit emotional after the flag. So, I’m really looking forward to leaving here and catching up with him because it’s not been easy at times for him. I’m just very proud to be able to work with someone that good. A proper example of someone that never gave up this season, even through the difficult times.”