Red Bull’s Dr. Helmut Marko has acknowledged the possibility that Max Verstappen may decide to quit Formula 1. Despite having a contract with Red Bull until 2028, the triple world champion has expressed concerns about the growing F1 calendar and the controversial new regulations set to be implemented in 2026.
Speaking to Osterreich newspaper, Marko said, “Max doesn’t just say something like that. I hope he fulfills his contract, which runs until 2028, to the very end. But who knows? Maybe one day he’ll come and say, ‘Thanks, that’s it.'”
One of Verstappen’s major concerns is the impact of the 2026 regulations, with the Dutchman expressing worry that the sport will become focused on engine competition. Marko acknowledged these concerns, stating that the new regulations could disrupt the current status quo.
When asked if Red Bull’s rivals would be hoping for the team to stumble with its new Red Bull Powertrains project, Marko responded with a smile, saying, “I think that’s wishful thinking. Let’s see how everything develops. In 2026, there will be new regulations that could change everything.”
For now, Verstappen and Red Bull have been consistently breaking long-standing records at every grand prix. Marko expressed his surprise and joy at their achievements, stating, “I’ll be surprised by what they dig up next, and I’m sure I’ll be made aware of it. Honestly, I would never have dared to dream that we would reach these heights. The Vettel years were already frightening for me.”
The next record within their reach is the opportunity to break the longest winning streak in F1 history, currently held by the dominant McLaren team of 1988. Red Bull can potentially achieve this milestone at the upcoming race in Hungary.
Marko commented on the ongoing success, saying, “We’ll see how our car performs in Budapest. We thought such a winning streak was unlikely, but we have to enjoy it while it lasts.” He acknowledged that Red Bull has the potential to achieve a clean sweep of victories in 2023 but emphasized that there is still a long way to go in the season.
In addition, Marko agreed with Verstappen’s sentiment regarding the Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt, expressing limited interest in the film. He stated, “It’s not really my thing. In the end, a movie is meant to create a show, and not everything will be real. I think they’ll use shots from around the world and onboard cameras, but I’m not particularly interested.”
Marko concluded by mentioning his preference for live experiences, adding, “I was in a meeting until just before the start and didn’t even realize that a movie car was said to have stopped on the installation lap. I really liked the Niki Lauda film, but otherwise, I prefer to experience the whole thing live.”
