The end of the Helmut Marko era reshapes Red Bull’s internal balance: young Isack Hadjar may no longer face the insurmountable barrier that Red Bull has often been for rookies. The Red Bull world officially enters a new era. Helmut Marko’s departure — a key figure in the team’s rise from obscurity to the top of Formula 1 — has left a technical, political, and cultural void that will shake the team’s internal dynamics. Just days after Max Verstappen’s loss in the championship battle to Lando Norris, the structure that for years shaped drivers, strategies, and critical decisions is taking on a new face.
According to reports, the meeting in Abu Dhabi between Marko and Red Bull GmbH leadership marked a turning point: a discussion about the future that ended with the Austrian advisor’s departure.
Helmut Marko’s presence was all-encompassing. He brought talents like Sebastian Vettel, Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, and especially Max Verstappen into Formula 1. He promoted the young Dutch driver from Toro Rosso to Red Bull in 2016, initiating a winning cycle that culminated in four world championships. Marko was also the cornerstone of the “Verstappen team,” providing the driver with political and sporting support during the most delicate moments, such as the internal investigation that divided the team earlier this season.
It was precisely Marko who wanted Isack Hadjar in the junior program, guiding him all the way to his F1 debut. After scoring a podium at Zandvoort during his rookie season, the French-Algerian driver has now been promoted to the main team to partner Max Verstappen in 2026. Until a few weeks ago, coexisting with Max seemed almost impossible. Now the picture is changing: more direct management by Red Bull GmbH could lead to a model similar to McLaren’s, with two drivers treated equally, without predefined hierarchies.
Hadjar’s words after the post-season Abu Dhabi tests
During the Pirelli post-season tests in Abu Dhabi, Isack Hadjar completed his first laps in the RB21 as an official driver. “It was fantastic to complete my first laps as an official Oracle Red Bull Racing driver. They welcomed me very well and I already feel comfortable with this group,” said the Frenchman. “Of course, this is a different car from the one I will drive in Barcelona, but it was useful to work on the tires and collect valuable data for the new season.”
With Max Verstappen determined to reclaim his crown and a rookie no longer overwhelmed by comparison, Red Bull enters 2026 with an internal scenario never seen before: more open, less polarized, and — at least on paper — more competitive.
The 2026 regulation reset was already going to shake up the order. Now Red Bull’s internal reset could shake things up just as much. For Isack Hadjar, the timing could not be better.
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