Helmut Marko says F1 will find a new ‘star’ if Max Verstappen decides to leave

Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Helmut Marko says Formula 1 won’t fall apart if Max Verstappen chooses to walk away, though he’d rather the three-time champion didn’t go anywhere.

Verstappen has been open about his issues with the sport’s direction. Back in March, he raised concerns about the new regulations and hinted that they could influence his decision to stay. While he did call the tweaks made for Miami a positive move, Verstappen still feels the overall approach is fundamentally flawed.

In response, F1 teams have already agreed to adjust the balance between internal combustion engines and electric power from around 55/45 to 60/40 starting in 2027. Verstappen will likely be pleased with this change too. But according to him, removing the electric element entirely would be an even better solution.

Even then, a full return to combustion engines isn’t expected until at least 2030 and there will probably still be some level of electrification involved.

Helmut Marko says Max Verstappen isn’t irreplaceable in F1

Verstappen is set to compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours this weekend, which will be his biggest GT3 event so far. There’s speculation that he could eventually make a permanent move to another discipline.

Marko told sport.de that while it would be a significant loss for F1 if Verstappen did walk away, the sport wouldn’t be without someone else to step into that role.

Lando Norris is now a world champion, and Verstappen’s peers include top drivers like Charles Leclerc and George Russell. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli continues to impress as the current championship leader with Mercedes.

“Max’s departure would certainly be a great loss, but that’s how it is in sports,” Marko said. “When someone leaves, a new one comes along and becomes the star. But it’s not just about whether Max likes it. It’s about racing.”

Helmut Marko: F1 rules may not allow ‘pure racing’ return

Marko has raised doubts over whether F1 can ever return to what he calls ‘pure racing’ with the current generation of cars, no matter how many changes are made to the rules.

The FIA is trying to reduce the number of ‘yo-yo’ overtakes seen early in the season, even though some fans have found them entertaining.

“What has been initiated in the short term is far from sufficient to get the premier class back on track,” Marko said. “To what extent we can achieve a return to pure racing, I don’t know.”

Speaking about reports that F1 could switch back to V8 engines by 2030, Marko added: “The sooner it comes, the better.”

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