Steiner Predicts Calmer Era for Red Bull Following Marko's Exit

Guenther Steiner believes Red Bull is heading towards a period of stability following the turbulent exit of advisor Helmut Marko. The former Haas team principal was surprised by Marko's departure and his subsequent critical comments but is confident that new team principal Laurent Mekies will usher in a calmer era for the six-time Constructors' Champions.

Why it matters:

Marko's departure marks the end of a 20-year reign that defined Red Bull's ruthless, championship-winning culture. After a season plagued by internal turmoil, the team's ability to project stability is crucial for retaining its top talent, including Max Verstappen, and maintaining its focus on on-track performance against resurgent rivals like McLaren and Ferrari.

The details:

• Surprising Exit: Steiner admitted he didn't expect Marko, 82, to depart so soon, thinking he'd wait until after the 2025 season. He attributed the move to Marko's age and the demands of the F1 calendar.
• Parting Shots: Marko's exit was followed by a blunt interview where he dismissed official farewell statements as "nonsense" and took aim at former team principal Christian Horner, adding to the team's recent public drama.
• Mekies' Impact: Steiner pointed to the team's recent resurgence under new team principal Laurent Mekies. A key floor upgrade introduced at Monza helped reignite Max Verstappen's title challenge, demonstrating the team's solid foundation.
• Core Strength: Despite the upheaval, Steiner emphasized that Red Bull retains the essential ingredients for success: "They have the best driver and a good team."

Looking Ahead:

The key question is whether Mekies' quieter, more methodical approach can sustain the high-performance environment that Red Bull is known for. While the storm of internal drama appears to be easing, the team must now translate this newfound stability into consistent championship contention. All eyes will be on Milton Keynes to see if a calmer Red Bull can still be a dominant one.