Marko names McLaren driver as favourite for 2026 Drivers’ Championship
Helmut Marko has shared his thoughts on who might emerge as the favourite for the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship.
“I’m afraid it will be someone using the Mercedes engine.”- Helmut Marko
The Austrian, who recently called time on his stint at the Red Bull Racing outfit, expressed his worry about potential gaps in performance across the F1 grid, stressing his hope that the championship does not mirror the dominance Mercedes displayed in 2014.
“Last year, the field was closer than ever. I think that will widen considerably. I fear the gaps will increase drastically. You have to remember, we have the combustion engine, we have the battery, then the software for the grid connection,” Marko explained via ORF.
“So those are several factors, along with the CO₂-free gasoline. I hope there won’t be such differences as in 2014, when Mercedes left everyone else in the dust,” he added.
Pressed further about which driver he believes could clinch the 2026 driver crown, the former Red Bull advisor stated a driver with the Mercedes engine, before naming Lando Norris.
“I’m afraid it will be someone using the Mercedes engine. So it could be Lando Norris again. Williams is also making considerable progress, I hear. If George Russell wants to be at the top, he has to put that into practice now and fight for the World Championship,” he concluded.
The 2026 campaign will usher in one of the largest overhauls in Formula 1 history. The changes will span from the engine and its deployment to the chassis, with the wheel dimensions and several other aerodynamic properties also expected to undergo sweeping transformation.
Marko expresses confidence in Verstappen
Despite highlighting Mercedes-powered drivers as potential favourites, Marko remains confident in Max Verstappen’s ability to extract the maximum from Red Bull’s package throughout the season. He pointed out how the new regulations will place greater emphasis on driver skill:
“This will be a huge advantage for Max because he can drive incredibly fast and think at the same time. But a veteran like Fernando Alonso could also have an advantage there. So the driver will now be even more important,” he concluded.
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