It is the start of a new era for Red Bull following the departure of Helmut Marko after the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but will Max Verstappen lead it or be the next to go?
After over 20 years working for the Milton Keynes-based outfit, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon that Marko would depart from his role as motorsport advisor.
Marko was incredibly close to Verstappen, with the Dutchman having offered the 82-year-old his full support during Red Bull’s power struggle last year.
During Red Bull’s 2024 power struggle, there were suggestions that Marko could be ousted from the team, leading to indications from Verstappen that he would follow the Austrian out of the exit door.
Marko was the second major senior figure to leave in 2025, following the axe of former team boss Christian Horner after the British GP.
With Laurent Mekies now entering his first off-season as Red Bull team principal, and with Marko not in the garage, it is very much the start of a new era for the squad.
The big question is whether Verstappen will stick around to lead it or abandon ship at the first sign of trouble.
He will race for Red Bull at the very least for the first season of the new power unit regulations, but anything beyond that remains a mystery – he is contracted until at least the end of 2028.
A concern is that 2026 could be a challenging year for Red Bull, as it will be its first campaign as its own power unit supplier, which could result in an uncompetitive package.
Should that be the case, what Verstappen does will be fascinating, given the four-time world champion will want to be fighting at the front.
Will Verstappen stick around for Red Bull’s new era?
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