Helmut Marko urges FIA to curb hybrid reliance as Max Verstappen doubts his F1 future

Red Bull’s chief adviser Helmut Marko is pressing the sport’s governing body to roll back the hybrid push that’s causing friction inside the team. Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, has openly hinted he may rethink his F1 future if the current package doesn’t become more driver‑friendly.

Why it matters:

Driver enjoyment fuels fan interest; the champion’s discontent could erode credibility and the sport’s appeal. Hybrid reliance shifts performance from driver skill to software, feeding broader driver unrest.

The details:

• Marko told Kleine Zeitung the RB22’s chassis deficit is “quite large” and software now dominates performance.
• Verstappen, 28, has yet to finish in the top five after three races and sits ninth in the standings, blaming the battery‑engine balance.
• Marko urges the FIA to curb battery influence and give the internal‑combustion engine a larger share of power.

What's next:

• The FIA faces pressure to consider mid‑season tweaks; any change must clear a technical review before the next race.
• Verstappen says he will use the coming weeks to decide his future, weighing the sport’s demands against his personal life.