Marko fears Mercedes engine could dominate F1’s new 2026 era
Helmut Marko believes Mercedes-powered teams might have the edge when Formula 1’s massive rule changes arrive in 2026.
“I’m afraid it will be someone using the Mercedes engine,” the outspoken Austrian said in a recent interview with ORF.
Marko, who recently ended his long stint with Red Bull Racing, worries that F1 could see performance gaps widen dramatically under the new regulations. It’s a concerning possibility after we’ve enjoyed such competitive racing lately.
“Last year, the field was closer than ever. I think that will widen considerably. I fear the gaps will increase drastically,” he explained.
The 2026 changes represent one of the biggest shake-ups in F1 history. Everything from engines to chassis design will be transformed, with significant modifications to wheel dimensions and aerodynamics.
Marko’s concerns stem from the technical complexity of the new power units.
“You have to remember, we have the combustion engine, we have the battery, then the software for the grid connection,” he said. “So those are several factors, along with the COâ‚‚-free gasoline.”
His biggest worry? A repeat of what happened in 2014 when Mercedes introduced an engine so superior that they dominated for years.
“I hope there won’t be such differences as in 2014, when Mercedes left everyone else in the dust.”
When pressed to name a potential 2026 champion, Marko didn’t hesitate.
“It could be Lando Norris again,” he suggested, pointing to the McLaren driver who uses Mercedes power.
But Norris isn’t the only Mercedes-powered driver on Marko’s radar.
“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.”
## Verstappen still has the edge
Despite his concerns about Mercedes power, Marko believes Max Verstappen‘s exceptional skills will remain a crucial advantage.
“This will be a huge advantage for Max because he can drive incredibly fast and think at the same time,” he said.
The veteran F1 insider thinks the new regulations will put even more emphasis on driver ability.
“A veteran like Fernando Alonso could also have an advantage there. So the driver will now be even more important,” Marko added.
With so many technical changes coming in 2026, the human element behind the wheel might make all the difference.
Will Mercedes-powered teams really dominate the new era? Or can Red Bull maintain their current advantage? We’ll find out when the cars hit the track in 2026.
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