Marko laughs off McLaren’s Red Bull ‘sacrifice’ theory

Red Bull’s Helmut Marko has laughed off McLaren’s suggestion that the Milton Keynes-based outfit is risking its 2026 prospects by continuing to upgrade its current RB21 – insisting the team knows exactly what it’s doing.

With Max Verstappen storming back into title contention after a stunning late-season charge – winning three of the past four races – rivals have started to question how long Red Bull can keep pouring resources into its 2025 campaign.

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella hinted that Red Bull might be prioritising Verstappen’s fight for a fourth world crown over early preparation for Formula 1’s all-new regulations coming in 2026.

“Perhaps they are happier [at Red Bull] to give up a little bit of 2026, because they might have some other issues for 2026 whereby they say, let's focus on 2025,” Stella suggested.

A Similar Story in 2021

Marko dismissed the Italian’s claim as nothing new – and, more importantly, as nothing to worry about.

“It was the same story in 2021,” the Austrian told Motorsport. “Toto was really worried that we wouldn't be competitive in 2022.

“It's part of our philosophy that we, whenever the rules change, are working as long as we can to stay competitive.

“That was the same for the last three changes when new regulations came. So if they don't have anything else to worry about, then okay.”

Red Bull famously silenced doubters that time around, launching the dominant RB18 that began its championship sweep in 2022.

Marko insists there’s no danger of history repeating in the wrong way this time.

“We know what we’re doing. It needs an exact plan and very disciplined people, which we have,” he said. “So we don't think there is a handicap for 2026.”

Cooling, Not Compromise

Red Bull’s latest RB21 upgrade package – including a new floor introduced in Mexico – is not, Marko explained, a desperate bid for performance, but a practical response to the city’s unique altitude challenge.

“The upgrade mainly targeted cooling efficiency – because of the thinner air here,” he noted. “That’s all related – that’s part of the same package with the cooling adjustments.”

Still, with Verstappen slashing Oscar Piastri’s championship lead from 104 points to just 40, there’s little doubt the tweaks are doing more than keeping things cool – they’re turning up the heat in the title fight.

Read also: McLaren defends development freeze amid Red Bull’s push

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