[Saba Sports News] In the ground-effect era, Max Verstappen established overwhelming dominance in the early phase of the new regulations. However, intensifying competition reshaped the landscape in the 2025 season. McLaren emerged as the main title contender thanks to its overall performance edge, with Lando Norris ultimately claiming the championship by a narrow margin.
Though Verstappen secured consistent podium finishes and multiple race victories in the latter half of the season, he missed out on the world drivers’ title by merely two points. Such results were widely regarded as outstanding by the public, yet Helmut Marko, the long-serving Red Bull advisor, held far stricter standards.
In an interview, Marko stated that a fifth consecutive championship would have matched the historic record set by Michael Schumacher during his time at Ferrari. This profound historical significance made the title defeat all the more disappointing. The frustration stemming from the 2025 setback led him to reassess his role and ultimately decide to step down at the end of the season.
In my opinion, Marko attributes his departure from Red Bull primarily to the failure to complete a fifth straight championship and fulfil this historic milestone. This reasoning carries genuine emotional weight, but it is not the sole factor. Considering his advanced age, internal organisational restructuring and repeated controversies in recent years, his exit is most likely the combined result of personal voluntary choice and institutional adjustments within the team.