Helmut Marko’s take on the ‘farce’ surrounding the Monaco penalties

This weekend, Formula 1 returns to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen (28) will be competing on home turf for the first time without Helmut Marko (83) in the pit lane. The former Red Bull motorsport adviser retired at the end of 2025 after more than two decades of successful work with the Formula 1 team and now runs his hotels in Graz with his family.

Marko: A bad rule!

Marko views the situation in Formula 1 with a degree of scepticism. Speaking to the Kleine Zeitung about the relationship between Formula 1 owner Liberty Media and the FIA, Marko says: “Cooperation between Liberty and the FIA needs to be even closer and more coordinated. The farce with the penalties in Monaco, for example – that’s a poor rule.’ He then draws a comparison with football: ‘There, the goal is always the same size; the rules are simple and clear. In Formula 1, it’s too complicated.” He is alluding to the faulty speed measurement in the Monaco pit lane. Pierre Gasly was initially penalised, then the result was revised and he got his podium finish back. The case is still being dealt with.

Marko in favour of V8s

The Graz native particularly welcomes the trend towards a return to the legendary V8 engines: “Absolutely! That would put racing back at the centre in its original sense, and it wouldn’t be like it is now, where you have to manage your energy in qualifying. It should be the case that every corner is taken at the limit or beyond – that’s what makes it exciting and sets it apart.”

In Spielberg, the magnificently expanded Hotel Schönberghof will be used for the first time this year. Commenting on the situation regarding accommodation around the Red Bull Ring, the expert says: “You can never meet the demand generated by Formula 1 in the region. In Graz, for example, we’re only fully booked once a year – during the Formula 1 weekend. That’s when we can charge double rates and impose a minimum stay. Cities like Barcelona experience this about ten to twelve times a year.”

The Red Bull Ring has an incredible appeal for the Murtal region. Regarding the occasional grumbling from local residents in Spielberg, Marko says: “It’s this selfish, narrow-minded way of thinking – that you have to put up with certain restrictions twice, or at least once a year, but fail to see what benefits the region gets from it. That makes it all the more baffling to me that some people, who built their houses even though the Ring was already there, are up in arms.”

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Formula 1’s appeal

On the fans’ interest, he says: “Formula 1 is running as usual; there’s no need to worry about that. It’s still a money-losing venture, though, but it brings incredible prestige to the region and to the whole country. Only an event like this can send that kind of publicity out into the world. The Ring is very well utilised all year round, so you have to find the right balance. When the hotels are fully booked for such events, there are certainly opportunities to make a profit.”

Mercedes the favourites

Marko’s prediction for the race weekend in Aichfeld: “Under the new regulations, Mercedes are clearly the favourites. However, they’ve now suffered a second engine failure, which is unusual for them. Generally speaking, it has to be said that the updates are certainly more effective at this stage of the regulations; you can gain a five-tenths-of-a-second advantage in one go. Red Bull are fielding a car at the weight limit for the first time; they’ll certainly be in the mix too. I hope Max can then compete at the front. Mercedes are the favourites, but the rest of the field is more than interesting.”