Marko takes partial blame for Verstappen's 2025 title loss

Helmut Marko, the long-time Red Bull advisor who recently left the team, has publicly shouldered part of the blame for Max Verstappen’s narrow defeat in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship. He stated the team failed to provide a consistently competitive car, a shortcoming that influenced his decision to step down after two decades.

Why it matters:

Marko’s admission is a rare moment of public accountability from a key architect of Red Bull's dynasty. It underscores the internal assessment that technical inconsistency, not just driver performance, cost Verstappen a potential fifth consecutive title. His departure and these comments signal a period of significant reflection and potential restructuring within the team following a season where they were dethroned.

The details:

• Verstappen finished the 2025 season just two points behind champion Lando Norris, marking the end of his four-year reign.
• Marko directly linked his exit to this failure, telling Merkur, “We didn’t provide him with a car that was on par often enough. I partly blame myself for that, and that’s why I wanted to stop now.”
• This follows previous comments from Marko where he pointed fingers at former Team Principal Christian Horner, suggesting the championship could have been won had Horner been dismissed earlier.
• Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher reportedly backed Marko's assessment of Horner, criticizing a "power-thirsty attitude" that he claims nearly destroyed the team.

The big picture:

The 2025 season represents a major shift in F1's power structure. Red Bull's era of dominance, meticulously built by figures like Marko and Horner, has been cracked. Marko’s departure and candid blame-taking highlight the internal reckoning happening at Milton Keynes. The team must now navigate a future without two of its most defining leaders while solving the performance inconsistencies that cost them the ultimate prize.

What's next:

All eyes will be on how Red Bull regroups for 2026. The team must stabilize its leadership, with new figures needing to fill the void left by Marko and Horner. The primary technical focus will be on producing a car that can consistently challenge for wins, addressing the very flaw Marko cited. For Verstappen, the mission is clear: reclaim the title with a new-look team behind him.