Former Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has stated his belief that Max Verstappen cannot secure the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship. Marko cited the strength of rival teams and internal issues within Red Bull as primary factors. Verstappen currently sits sixth in the Drivers’ Standings, trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 110 points after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Verstappen has not achieved a Grand Prix victory in the opening 11 rounds of the current season, marking his longest winless streak since 2020. Red Bull is the only team among the top four constructors yet to claim a win this year.
Marko expressed concerns regarding the Red Bull RB22 car’s performance. He noted that the team is not consistently fast and that the car exhibits instability. Verstappen has frequently communicated dissatisfaction with the RB22 to his race engineer, GianPiero Lambiase, citing issues with upshifts, downshifts, damping, and aerodynamic performance.
During qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen described the car as ‘completely broken aerodynamically’. Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has acknowledged the difficulties drivers face in managing the RB22’s unpredictable handling.
The RB22 commenced the 2026 season as the fourth-fastest car, hampered by aerodynamic shortcomings and initial challenges with its new in-house Ford power unit. Reports indicated the car was initially 10-13kg overweight, a figure now reduced to approximately 6-8kg.
Despite these challenges, Verstappen secured a second-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix and a near-victory at the Austrian Grand Prix. He has accumulated four podium finishes this season. A former Ferrari F1 general manager described the RB22 as a ‘dog’, commending Verstappen’s ability to extract performance.
The competitive landscape in 2026 is intense, with Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren demonstrating strong pace. Mercedes leads the Constructors’ Championship with 379 points, followed by Ferrari with 307 and McLaren with 220. Mercedes has secured eight victories in the first 11 races, while Ferrari and McLaren have also recorded wins.
Marko does not anticipate a repeat of Verstappen’s 2025 title charge, where he recovered a significant points deficit to finish runner-up. He believes the current competition is too formidable.
‘They aren’t consistently fast. Moreover, things don’t seem to be going entirely smoothly between Max and the engineers. The competition from McLaren and Ferrari is too strong, and the car is too unstable. I certainly wouldn’t bet on that.’
Speculation regarding Verstappen’s future at Red Bull continues. His contract runs until the end of 2028, but it contains a performance clause allowing him to depart at the close of 2026 if he is not within the top two of the Drivers’ Standings by the summer break.
This clause has now activated, with Verstappen currently in sixth position. Reports suggest Verstappen has until October to finalise his plans for the upcoming seasons.
Red Bull has reportedly offered Verstappen an extended contract until 2029, including a substantial pay increase, which would remove the existing performance clause. Verstappen’s representatives reportedly held discussions with McLaren prior to the Austrian Grand Prix regarding a potential move.
McLaren is considered a leading contender should Verstappen opt to leave Red Bull. Verstappen, while referring to Red Bull as his ‘second family’, has maintained a direct stance on his objectives, stating, ‘We are only here to win.’
Despite the ongoing speculation, Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, indicated that Verstappen intends to honour his contract with Red Bull until 2028. Vermeulen clarified that the existence of the exit clause does not necessitate its activation.
