On a shocking day before Formula 1, Laurent Mekies, the new team boss of Red Bull Racing, brought the Paddock into turmoil by announcing the resignation of Helmut Marko. The Austrian adviser, a key figure in the success of Red Bull and the career of Max Verstappen, would leave immediately. This unexpected decision led to an unprecedented response from Verstappen, which expressed his displeasure in fierce terms. “If Red Bull Helmut loses, I am considering leaving the team!” explained the four -time world champion to the press, with which he put a bomb among the future of the team.

Marko, a confidant of Verstappen for years, played a crucial role in his rise to the top of Formula 1. His technical insight and strategic decisions were essential for the dominance of Red Bull in recent seasons. The announcement of his resignation comes at a time when Red Bull is struggling with the performance of the RB21, which was far behind in races such as the Hungary Grand Prix with competitors such as McLaren. Mekies, who recently succeeded Christian Horner as a team boss, defended the decision by stating that the team needs a “new direction” to take on the challenges of 2026, in particular the new motor regulations. “We respect Helmut’s contributions, but sometimes change is necessary to keep winning,” said Mekies, a statement that the Formula 1-Community was surprised.

However, Verstappen’s reaction was the conversation of the day. The Dutchman, who has driven his entire Formula 1 career at Red Bull, emphasized that his loyalty to the team is strongly linked to Marko. “Helmut is not only a consultant, but also a mentor. I wouldn’t be here without him,” he said emotionally. He even hinted on conversations with rival teams such as Mercedes and Ferrari, was allowed to continue Red Bull with this change of course. This puts enormous pressure on Mekies, which is already criticized because of the timing of this decision, just before crucial races such as the Grand Prix of the Netherlands.

The atmosphere appears to be tense within Red Bull. Sources report that internal dynamics have been under pressure for some time, partly due to the recent change from Horner to Mekies. The Frenchman, with his background as an engineer, was praised for his technical knowledge, but critics wonder if he can manage the political and emotional complexity of the team. Yuki Tsunoda, who previously collaborated with Mekies at Racing Bulls, called him a skilled leader, but even he admitted that Marko’s resignation is “unexpected and risky”.

The Formula 1 world is now looking at the coming weeks with excitement. Will Verstappen realize his threat and leave Red Bull? And can Mekies unite the team in this stormy period? One thing is certain: this drama will radically influence the battle for the championship and the future of Red Bull.