With just days to go until Red Bull unveils its new Formula 1 car proper, the team’s long-standing architect for driver selection, Dr Helmut Marko, has offered a cautious outlook on the pecking order for the upcoming season. Although he officially retired from the sport after the 2025 finale, the Austrian remains closely connected to the paddock, and what he has heard suggests that Red Bull may face tougher competition than in previous years.
On Thursday night, Red Bull presented the new cars of reigning world champion Max Verstappen and rookie Isack Hadjar in Detroit, in cooperation with engine partner Ford. This launch marks the team’s first step into a radically new technical era, shaped by sweeping changes to the regulations governing power units and fuel technology. According to Marko, these changes could initially put Red Bull at a disadvantage.
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Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF, Marko made it clear which rival he believes has made the strongest start.
“From what I hear, Mercedes seems to be furthest ahead in engine development,” he said, alluding to concerns within Red Bull’s former leadership circle. With power units now relying on a delicate balance between combustion engines, electrical systems, software and fully CO₂-neutral fuels, any early advantages could be crucial.
Marko fears that the tightly packed field of recent seasons may not last much longer.
“Last year, the field was closer than ever. I think that will spread out considerably,” he predicted. “I fear the gaps will increase drastically.”
Drawing parallels to the beginning of the hybrid era in 2014, he sounded a note of caution: “I hope there won’t be such a big difference as there was back then, when Mercedes left everyone else in the dust.”
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Despite these concerns, Marko does not expect Red Bull’s drivers to be mere spectators in the new era. He remains convinced that Max Verstappen’s exceptional abilities will continue to make a difference, regardless of the technical challenges.
“He can drive incredibly fast and think at the same time,” said Marko, emphasising Verstappen’s rare combination of raw speed and race intelligence.
Marko also expressed confidence in Isack Hadjar, who will partner Verstappen as Red Bull reshapes its driver line-up. According to Marko, the young Frenchman has the pace to compete at the highest level immediately.
“He will certainly be competitive in terms of speed,” he said. While acknowledging that adapting to the new regulations will not be easy, Marko stressed that driver quality could be more influential than ever during the transition phase.
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When asked to name his early favourites for the world championship, Marko looked beyond his former team.
Lando Norris once again features prominently in his thoughts following his breakthrough title win, while another Mercedes-powered driver also caught his attention.
“So it could be Lando Norris again,” he said. He also highlighted the strong progress being made at Williams and challenged George Russell: “If George Russell wants to be at the top, he has to start proving it now by fighting for the World Championship.”
Marko’s comments highlight one thing clearly: the upcoming season may be defined less by dominance and more by who can adapt fastest to Formula 1’s bold new era.
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“It is a great relief” say the Bianchi family as Jules Bianchi’s go-kart recovered after theft – There is welcome news from the family of the late Formula 1 driver, Jules Bianchi. Several go-karts were stolen from the family’s private collection earlier this year, but at least one of the missing machines has now been recovered. The news was confirmed by Jules’ father, Philippe Bianchi, who shared the update on social media.
“I am delighted to announce that Jules’ go-kart has been found. It is a huge relief for our entire family,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
He also expressed his gratitude to those who helped bring about the breakthrough, thanking supporters who shared information, media outlets that reported on the theft and the local police in Brignoles for their assistance.
The recovered kart is particularly important as it was the last one used by Jules Bianchi before he progressed further in his racing career. Its return represents more than the recovery of valuable equipment — it marks the return of a deeply personal piece of family history…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
Stanton is a London-based journalist specialising in sports business and sponsorship. With a degree in economics and years reporting for business-focused publications, Stanton translates F1’s complex financial world into clear, compelling narratives.
“Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations,” – George Orwell
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