Helmut Marko has expressed skepticism about receiving any support from Ferrari, suggesting that Fred Vasseur, the team principal of Alfa Romeo Racing, shares a close relationship with Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal.
Maintaining amicable relations between rival team bosses can be challenging in Formula 1. However, occasional instances arise where team principals genuinely get along. For instance, Guenther Steiner has cultivated a positive relationship with former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto, while the current Ferrari head has established a connection with another figure in the F1 paddock.
Despite the regulations for the 2026 changes to power unit rules being two and a half years away, concerns have already emerged within the Formula 1 community. Red Bull Racing has been at the forefront of expressing reservations, particularly regarding the size of the battery, with Christian Horner even likening it to a potential “Frankenstein” car.
Horner is not the sole advocate within Red Bull Racing raising concerns about this matter. Helmut Marko has also suggested that a larger battery could have significantly altered the outcome of Max Verstappen’s crash at Silverstone in 2021.
Marko emphasized that the weight of the battery presents safety risks, as evidenced by the Silverstone incident involving Verstappen. He pointed out that batteries inherently carry certain risks, and given the current weight and dimensions of Formula 1 cars, there is a need for a reevaluation. Marko suggested that a solution might involve making race tracks wider to accommodate the evolving car designs.
