Marko Says F1 Would Find Another Star If Verstappen Leaves

Overview

• Helmut Marko said losing Max Verstappen would be a major blow but argued Formula 1 would soon elevate a new leading driver.
• His comments landed as Verstappen prepared for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, with teammate Dani Juncadella saying he looks happier and fully engaged in GT racing.
• Verstappen has criticized the 2026 cars for lift-and-coast laps and for races shaped by software-controlled battery use, and Marko said the early tweaks do not restore what he calls pure racing.
• Teams have agreed to tilt the power balance toward the engine in 2027, moving to roughly a 60/40 split between combustion and electric power after this season’s near 50/50 mix.
• FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed a plan to bring back V8 engines running on fully sustainable fuels around 2030–2031, and former team boss Otmar Szafnauer suggested Verstappen could even take a sabbatical until then.