In a shocking turn of events, Red Bull’s top adviser, Helmut Marko, has made a bold claim about McLaren’s recent success in Formula 1, suggesting a direct connection to their former employee. The resurgence of McLaren, led by Max Verstappen’s consistent threat, has left the F1 world buzzing with speculation.
Marko pointed out that McLaren’s car became challenging to drive after Rob Marshall, a former Red Bull member, joined the team in early 2024. Although officially starting at McLaren in January of the same year, Marshall’s influence seemed to trigger a remarkable transformation at the Woking-based team, ultimately leading to their first Constructors’ Championship win in 26 years in 2024.
With McLaren kicking off the F1 2025 season with two consecutive wins, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have highlighted the difficulties in driving the new MCL39 car. Drawing parallels to the handling issues faced by Verstappen in his recent Red Bull cars, McLaren’s resurgence post-Marshall’s arrival raised eyebrows across the paddock.
Marko emphasized the impact of Marshall’s expertise on McLaren’s performance, hinting at a significant transfer of know-how from Red Bull to McLaren. The Austrian adviser’s remarks come in the wake of a strategic meeting at Red Bull’s factory to address Verstappen’s concerns and criticisms of their current car, RB21.
While Red Bull aims to enhance car stability across various tracks, temperatures, and tyre compounds, Marko acknowledged that mere upgrades might not suffice. The team is striving for a more consistent car performance, a goal they are confident in achieving despite the challenges posed.
In a series of key departures from Red Bull, Marshall was followed by renowned figures like Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, who have taken up pivotal roles at Aston Martin and Audi F1. McLaren also bolstered their team by acquiring Red Bull’s strategy chief, Will Courtenay, as their new sporting director, pending his completion of contractual obligations with Red Bull.
Marshall’s decision to switch to McLaren was fueled by a desire for new challenges and growth outside the familiar confines of Red Bull. Reflecting on his departure, Marshall expressed contentment in his move and highlighted the seamless transition to McLaren, where he is relishing the fresh opportunities and experiences.
As the F1 season unfolds with McLaren’s resurgence under the spotlight, the alleged “connection” to Red Bull through Marshall’s influence continues to spark intrigue and debate within the motorsport community.