Helmut Marko believes the problems with F1\u2019s new power units have forced the sport to reconsider its engine formula, with a return to turbocharged V8s in 2030 now a \u201cdone deal\u201d.<\/p>\n
In the midst of a season in which the power units have dominated the headlines, there was more drama at Sunday\u2019s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Helmut Marko reveals F1 turbo V8 engine plan for 2030<\/p>\n
Chaos descended as the rain bucketed down in the build-up to the Grand Prix, which promoted Race Control to delay the start.<\/p>\n
When the track action began with a pair of formation laps behind the Safety Car, pole-sitter Max Verstappen<\/a>, Lewis Hamilton and others reported a lack of acceleration.<\/p>\n But while the field slowed behind pole-sitter Verstappen, which meant he remained P1 on the track, Hamilton briefly stopped on the back straight as Ferrari told him there was \u201ca software issue we\u2019re trying to solve\u201d. He dropped from second to the back of the field.<\/p>\n FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis later explained that it was a software \u201cbug\u201d that caused the chaotic scenes.<\/p>\n It meant another lengthy delay as the software issues were resolved, before the race finally got underway.<\/p>\n Marko says the upside is that this year\u2019s power unit issues, which included complaints from the drivers about super clipping and battery harvesting, have forced a rethink. And he says it will see V8 engines make a comeback in 2030.<\/p>\n \u201cThe waiting was really boring because of the long rain interruption,\u201d the former Red Bull motorsport advisor told OE24 of the Malaysian GP.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that a high-end product like Formula 1 is stopped by a software problem is shameful.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the other hand, this embarrassment helps to rethink again. As far as I know, the return to the V8 engine with turbo 2030 is a done deal.\u201d<\/p>\n He did, however, enjoy the result.<\/p>\n Marko\u2019s former charge Verstappen claimed his first Grand Prix win of the new era, and also the very first for Red Bull Powertrains division and its in-house power unit.<\/p>\n \u201cThe race itself was great, although I would have been happy about a real rain race, but you waited too long for that,\u201d Marko said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I was happy with Max and with Red Bull for the first victory with their own engine.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s impressive what has been achieved. Just think back to how long it took Honda, for example\u2026<\/p>\n The 83-year-old revealed he messaged Verstappen to say congratulations.<\/p>\n Marko is hoping this is just the beginning for Verstappen and Red Bull in Formula 1\u2019s new era.<\/p>\n F1 2026: The season\u2019s winners and losers<\/p>\n The results of the F1 2026 championship <\/a><\/p>\n The F1 2026 Drivers\u2019 and Constructors\u2019 Championship standings<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMalaysia showed what Max is capable of,\u201d he said. \u201cIt started with a strong practice session on Friday, which Red Bull was able to build on successively.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that [Kimi] Antonelli countered in the race with his strong start was refreshing \u2013 as was the aggressive driving style with which he always impresses me.<\/p>\n As for next season, Marko says \u201cyou can assume\u201d it will be Antonelli versus Verstappen for the world title.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n