Red Bull ‘overruled’ one Helmut Marko driver decision in 2025 as his F1 future hangs in the balance

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For the first time in more than four years, Red Bull can no longer call themselves world champions after missing out on both Formula 1 titles in 2025.

Max Verstappen fell agonisingly short of a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship, despite winning the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

There was little more he could have done in the second half of the campaign, with a virtually faultless performance, reaching the podium 10 times in a row. Red Bull can be proud of his efforts.

Heading into the 2026 F1 regulations, they’ll be making their own power units for the first time ever, and there’s no guarantee that they hit the ground running.

Nico Rosberg thinks Verstappen will be ‘impatient’ with Red Bull if they fail to produce a winning car right away, forcing him to look elsewhere for the future.

Martin Brundle thinks Verstappen is ‘a lot more relaxed’ after the sacking of ex-boss Christian Horner in the summer. It transformed his driving.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen fans are saying the same thing about Lando Norris’ overtake on Yuki Tsunoda in Abu Dhabi

Helmut Marko was ‘overruled’ by Red Bull after wanting to sign Alex Dunne with future in the balance

Damon Hill thinks Verstappen is ‘flawless’ after seeing him dominate the last few weekends, and has been seriously impressed with his speed.

He has transformed into one of the greatest drivers of all time in a matter of years, and looking back on this year, he didn’t do a lot wrong, despite having the third or fourth fastest car overall.

One of the reasons he didn’t leave Red Bull this summer was due to a long-standing friendship with team advisor Helmut Marko, who has been with the team for 20 years.

If the Austrian were to leave the Milton Keynes-based outfit, the floodgates could open. Verstappen might be tempted to make a move.

According to De Telegraaf, as he weighs up his future, the team actually ‘overruled’ one of his decisions in 2025.

He wanted to sign ex-McLaren junior Alex Dunne to Red Bull’s programme, but didn’t get to have the final say. It’s a sign that his powers may be waning.

READ MORE: Helmut Marko identifies clear moment where Red Bull may have cost Max Verstappen the 2025 F1 title

Why Helmut Marko might want be considering a Red Bull departure

At the age of 82, Marko is getting to the stage in life where attending every single Formula 1 race is easier said than done.

F1 fans defended Kimi Antonelli from Marko after a fiery rant at the Qatar Grand Prix, where he accused the Italian driver of an ‘obvious’ move to let McLaren’s Lando Norris through.

Subsequently, he received a lot of abuse on social media, which was completely uncalled for. For a 19-year-old to face that, it was unfair. For anyone to deal with that was wrong.

But with Red Bull’s dominance showing signs of coming to an end, and Verstappen looking at other options if they fail to win, what reason does Marko have to stay behind while his powers diminish?

He has already said that he likes to be made comfortable, and if Red Bull can’t meet those demands, then one of the greatest talent spotters in championship history could be on his way out.