Red Bull shaken by concerns regarding Marko and Lambiase.

      Red Bull's debrief following the Abu Dhabi finale has raised concerns as Max Verstappen is now faced with the potential loss of two key figures in his Formula 1 career: race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase and mentor Dr. Helmut Marko.

      According to De Telegraaf, Lambiase concluded the race in tears and remained "inconsolable" even two hours after the event. Marko was seen providing comfort to him on the pit wall. Earlier in 2025, Lambiase missed several races amid speculation regarding personal challenges. Verstappen hinted that there may be more occurring behind the scenes, stating, "I obviously know more than others how he experienced the season. I hope to talk to him about that now." Subsequently, the two were observed in a lengthy private conversation.

      "It’s been an emotional year," Verstappen remarked. "Forget about the results. I don’t want to go too much into detail, but it’s been tough." The prevailing rumor suggests that Lambiase may not completely exit Red Bull but could transition into a different position, possibly ending the iconic Max-'GP' radio partnership that has characterized the height of Verstappen’s career.

      The second surprising development of Sunday night was the unexpected implication that Marko himself might leave or be nudged out, especially as he has been increasingly marginalized in the post-Horner era. His unsuccessful attempt to recruit Alex Dunne into the Red Bull junior program is believed to have been the breaking point.

      The 82-year-old advisor fueled the speculation himself. "That’s complicated," Marko acknowledged in Abu Dhabi when asked about his future with the team. "It’s about multiple things." He hinted that the failure to secure a fifth consecutive drivers’ title is weighing heavily on him. "It’s hard to be champion five times in a row. You have to plan a lot and perform constantly. You can’t make a mistake. For me, this is a disappointment. I didn’t reach the goal. I have to sleep on it and I’ll see."

      When directly asked if he would be around in 2026, Marko responded, "Well, we’ll have internal discussions, and we’re in no rush. During the years of Dietrich Mateschitz, I didn’t even have a contract. It’s important for me to feel comfortable." Team principal Laurent Mekies notably refrained from ruling out the possibility of Marko stepping aside.

      "Formula 1 is not a static environment. You always need to adjust the organization," he stated. "This applies to the technical department and the sporting side. It’s normal for us to consider how we can improve. I’m stating this not only for Helmut but for the entire organization." However, he commended Marko for his contributions during Red Bull’s challenging year. "Helmut has been very impressive in how he has supported the team during the turnaround. He has had to make tough decisions alongside management," Mekies noted.

      Marko insists he will continue to support Red Bull in some form. "We’re confident we can create a competitive car and enhance it quickly if necessary," he remarked regarding 2026. "We’re very motivated for next year, with the new chassis and engine regulations."

      Verstappen expressed his hope that the man who introduced him to Formula 1 will remain. "I hope so," he told Sky Germany. "You really have to ask him that - I have no idea."