Increased conflict signifies "tougher times are approaching," according to Marko.

      "But it’s a perilous situation."

      "More challenging times lie ahead" for the world, warns Red Bull’s Formula 1 advisor Dr. Helmut Marko. The Ukraine-Russia conflict has been ongoing for several years, and conflicts in the Middle East have also intensified, including the most recent issues in Israel and Iran.

      "Fortunately, Austria isn’t directly impacted by these wartime events," Marko shared with Kleine Zeitung prior to this weekend’s grand prix at the Red Bull Ring. "However, it’s a perilous situation," he remarked. "In Ukraine, just 600 kilometers away, tensions are rising - and the same goes for the Middle East. "Whether it’s football or Formula 1, activities continue."

      "Perhaps it serves as a welcome distraction for people to push the looming threat to the back of their minds," noted 82-year-old Marko. He correctly recognizes the escalating situation as a danger, potentially affecting the remainder of the Formula 1 schedule in 2025. Baku, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi are all near the conflict areas.

      "No one could have foreseen that a war would erupt so close to us," continued Marko from Austria. "The visuals are simply horrifying. Who will fund the rebuilding? And initially, who will supply the weapons? More difficult times are ahead," he cautions.