Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has expressed his frustrations about the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari, and Alpine not agreeing with his side over some of the rule changes in the 2026 season in an interview with motorsport-total.com. The 2026 campaign is set to witness a significant change in regulations and all teams have provided their inputs about what rules they believe would be better for the sport.
Marko’s recent remarks came soon after Max Verstappen and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had expressed their concerns with the aerodynamical rule changes for the 2026 season. “The chassis to compensate for moving aerodynamics to such an extent and reduce drag to such a level that racing will suffer,” explained Horner.
However, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has hit back at his rivals for their statements. “They’re not going to change the rules. They don’t have no as an option, in capital letters. I don’t know why these things come out now,” said the Austrian in response to Red Bull’s complaints.
On similar lines, former Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer also did not understand why there was a need to change the rules. He made it clear that his side were happy to keep the rules as they were. Similarly to Szafnauer, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur also did not have any concerns with the rule changes.
He said that it was the responsibility of the teams to adapt to them. With Vasseur not raising any concerns with the rule changes, Marko hit back at him in a recent interview and stated that the Frenchman is continuing his “love affair” with Wolff.
Helmut Marko slams Mercedes and Ferrari for not agreeing to rule changes
In a recent interview with motorsport-total.com, Helmut Marko gave his thoughts about why none of Red Bull’s rivals are agreeing to the rule changes. He explained that even though some of their rivals have similar concerns to that of the Milton Keynes outfit, they are yet hesitant to speak about the same.
The 80-year-old believes that Fred Vasseur is one such individual. Speaking of him, the Austrian said, “[Frederic] Vasseur is continuing his love affair with Toto [Wolff]. Therefore there is little resonance at Ferrari“.
After stating the same, Marko also went on to slam Renault (Alpine). “At Renault, they don’t know what they’re doing,” explained the Red Bull advisor. Marko then concluded his remarks by stating that his side “don’t have any allies at the moment“.
However, he believes that some of his rivals could join in Red Bull’s criticism over the 2026 rule changes. While Red Bull’s rivals have slammed the Milton Keynes outfit for raising such concerns because of their supposed worry that their team may not be able to produce a strong package, Marko insists that he is confident that his side’s dominance will continue in 2026 and the seasons beyond.
Marko is confident that Red Bull can produce a strong package for 2026
According to motorsport.com, Helmut Marko is confident that Red Bull will still be on top when the rule changes in 2026 come into effect. “We work with Ford and we have the best people for the internal combustion engine,” explained the 80-year-old.
As for this season, no team has come even close to beating Red Bull. The Milton Keynes outfit has won all 12 races of the 2023 season so far and are on course to win their second consecutive Constructors’ Championship.
