Helmut Marko says Max Verstappen found more enjoyment in endurance racing than F1 last year

Helmut Marko, the former Red Bull advisor who discovered Max Verstappen, has revealed the reigning world champion derived more enjoyment from endurance racing than Formula 1 last season. The admission comes as Marko also expressed little confidence in Red Bull's ability to mount a serious title challenge this year, despite Verstappen's strong second half of 2025, and confirmed he is no longer in regular contact with the Dutch driver.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's growing affinity for sports car racing over F1 highlights a potential shift in motivation for the sport's most dominant driver. Combined with Marko's pessimistic outlook for Red Bull and their apparent distance, it paints a picture of a champion at a crossroads, potentially less invested in F1's future as his team struggles to return to the top.

The details:

• Marko told Austrian outlet oe24 that Verstappen's greater enjoyment of endurance events "was already the case last year," confirming the driver's known preference.
• He watches Verstappen's sim racing and real-world GT exploits online, noting it's "impressive to see how they carve their way through the field."
• Verstappen has been increasingly vocal about his dissatisfaction with modern F1's direction, particularly its focus on entertainment over pure sporting competition.
• On Red Bull's 2026 prospects, Marko was blunt: "I fear it won't happen this year," citing the team's failure to recapture dominant form under new team principal Laurent Mekies.
• When asked about his current contact with Verstappen, Marko replied, "No. That's why I can't give you any news about him," indicating a significant change in their once-close relationship.
• Regarding speculation about Verstappen retiring at the end of 2026, Marko remained distant, stating, "I'm too far away to judge that properly. From the outside, I don't give advice about that."

Between the lines:

Marko's comments are a stark, public acknowledgment of several simmering storylines. They validate Verstappen's repeated criticisms of F1 and suggest his commitment may be wavering as he finds more authentic competition elsewhere. Furthermore, his separation from Marko—a key architect of his career—and the bleak assessment of Red Bull's chances reveal deeper structural or philosophical issues within the team that extend beyond mere car performance.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Verstappen's demeanor and performance as the season progresses. His participation in events like the 24 Hours of Nürburgring will be scrutinized for signs of where his true passion lies. Meanwhile, Red Bull faces immense pressure to improve its car to not only climb the standings but also to re-engage a champion whose long-term future in the sport appears increasingly conditional.