Helmut Marko doubts Verstappen can launch another Red Bull fightback

Marko sees no repeat of last year

Helmut Marko has cast doubt on Max Verstappen’s prospects for the second half of the Formula 1 season, arguing that Red Bull is not currently showing the consistency required to return to the front of the field.

The situation has invited comparisons with last year, when Red Bull endured a disappointing spell midway through the season before a major development push brought Verstappen back into championship contention. Marko, however, does not believe the team can reproduce that turnaround this time.

That assessment reflects more than a simple deficit in outright speed. For Red Bull, the combination of an unstable car and inconsistent performance leaves little margin for error against a field that has already demonstrated its ability to win. The team’s challenge is therefore not only to find more pace, but to make that pace repeatable across the remaining rounds.

Verstappen future speculation continues

Despite Red Bull’s struggles, Verstappen has still collected five podium finishes in the first half of the season. His ability to extract those results has done little to quiet speculation about his future, however.

Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, yet he has long been linked with an early departure from the Milton Keynes-based team. The uncertainty adds another layer to a season in which Red Bull has been unable to consistently challenge Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.

Marko, who worked alongside Verstappen for many years, made clear that he wants the four-time champion to remain with the team. “I sincerely hope he stays,” he said.

The broader performance picture remains central to that question. As recent coverage of Verstappen’s Red Bull struggles illustrates, the team’s prospects will depend on whether it can address its instability and close the gap to its leading rivals. For now, Marko’s view is unequivocal: another dramatic Red Bull recovery is not a result he would back.