Helmut Marko shares big news about a new F1 rule change after the Bahrain GP chaos
Helmut Marko, former Red Bull motorsport advisor, says a big Formula 1 rule change is now certain after the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
The start of the race at Sepang International Circuit had big problems with the engines of several cars, including Max Verstappen, who started in pole position and won the race. The trouble happened because engines lost power at low speeds in the wet weather. The race was delayed for almost an hour while teams added an emergency software fix from the FIA to stop the issue from happening again.
Because of this, during the opening formation lap, Verstappen’s car kept running while many others stopped on the track, creating a very unusual sight. Marko, who has a close bond with Verstappen, revealed that new engine rules are now agreed upon.
In an interview with Austrian outlet Oe24 after the Malaysian Grand Prix, Marko called the pre-race scene “shameful.” He also said that bringing back turbocharged engines in 2030 is “a done deal,” to his knowledge.
“The long wait was really boring. It’s a shame that top-level Formula 1 had to stop because of a software fault. But on the bright side, this problem is pushing people to rethink things. The return to the turbocharged V8 engine in 2030 seems certain,” he said.
While F1 updated its engine rules for 2026, the 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engine stayed the same. This new engine splits power almost half between internal combustion and electric power. Changes are planned from 2027 after some drivers raised concerns.
Earlier this month, F1-Insider reported that leaders are thinking about going back to V8 engines used from 2006 to 2013, before the hybrid V6s that brought mixed feelings among fans. No official news has come out yet, but Audi chief Mattia Binotto recently said the earliest such change could happen is in 2030.
Though Marko left Red Bull’s motorsport advisor role at the end of last year, he still seems to get insider updates from the paddock.
The 82-year-old Austrian also stays in touch with Verstappen, who recently signed a contract to stay with Red Bull until 2030. Marko shared how he messaged Verstappen after his first win of the season in Malaysia and called it amazing that Red Bull won a race with their own engine in their first season doing so.
“The race was fantastic. I was happy for Max and Red Bull for their first win with their own engine. It’s really impressive how quickly they did it — just think about how long it took Honda. The chassis also helped Red Bull to succeed earlier,” Marko said. “I sent Max a message to congratulate him. He thanked me and said he’s already excited for Singapore.”