What’s going on with Helmut Marko’s Red Bull F1 future and Gianpiero Lambiase’s tears?

Helmut Marko’s future on the Crimson Bull F1 staff is unsure amid strategies he may very well be set to retire. 

Following Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Crimson Bull advisor Marko hinted that he’s undecided if he might be persevering with in his function with the staff going into 2026.

Requested if his future was doubtful, Marko instructed reporters within the Yas Marina paddock: “It’s not doubtful, however I’ll have a dialogue after which I see what I do.

“It’s a posh [set] of various issues. I’ve to sleep over it after which will we see.”

Marko’s feedback got here after Max Verstappen was crushed to the 2025 F1 world championship by McLaren’s Lando Norris on the season finale.

Crimson Bull staff principal Laurent Mekies has not dominated out adjustments inside the organisation, although he wouldn’t go into specifics.

“Helmut has been unimaginable in how supportive he has been into serving to us turning round issues this 12 months,” Mekies stated.

“Clearly, him and prime administration had fairly a number of tough selections to make within the 12 months, and naturally, we all the time know F1 isn’t a static atmosphere.

“You all the time regulate your organisations. It applies to technical, it applies to sporting and it is fully regular that we evaluate how we will enhance the best way we function on a regular basis.

“I am not saying that particularly for Helmut, however I am saying that typically, we’re in an atmosphere the place we all the time problem one another and search for the subsequent steps, regardless of how small it’s in making an attempt to work collectively.

“However I can solely thank Helmut for the function he has performed into making basically higher what seemed like a tough scenario mid-season.”

Marko was caught up in controversy after he accused Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli of intentionally letting Norris previous on the current Qatar Grand Prix.

Antonelli’s mistake gave Norris an additional two factors that will show to be his profitable margin over Verstappen because the curtain fell on the 2025 season.

After the 19-year-old Italian was subjected to vile on-line abuse, Marko apologised and retracted his earlier declare.

What was behind Lambiase’s emotion?

There have been emotional scenes on the Crimson Bull pitwall after the chequered flag, with Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase seen in tears.

‘GP’ was consoled by a number of Crimson Bull teammates together with Marko.

Lambiase has endured a tough 2025 season as a consequence of non-public causes and missed two races in Austria and Belgium. Simon Rennie deputised as Verstappen’s race engineer for these two occasions.

Talking about Lambiase’s feelings, Verstappen stated: “It’s been an emotional 12 months. Neglect in regards to the outcomes this 12 months and I don’t wish to go an excessive amount of into element, but it surely’s been powerful.

“However I’m very pleased to have the ability to work with somebody that passionate. After all, he’s my race engineer, however I see him as my pal. We now have lived by way of so many emotional issues collectively and incredible achievements.

“I’m certain he was a bit emotional after the flag. So, I’m actually wanting ahead to leaving right here and catching up with him as a result of it’s not been simple at instances for him.

“I’m simply very proud to have the ability to work with somebody that good. A correct instance of somebody that by no means gave up this season, even by way of the tough instances.”