Helmut Marko, Red Bull's motorsport advisor, has offered a reassuring perspective on Formula 1's future should Max Verstappen decide to step away from the sport. While the three-time world champion's potential departure would undoubtedly be a significant moment for F1, Marko believes the sport's star power would quickly regenerate.

Verstappen has been increasingly vocal about his frustrations with F1's direction. Earlier this year, he expressed concerns about the new regulations, suggesting they could influence his long-term commitment. Although he welcomed the rule tweaks implemented for the Miami Grand Prix, the Dutch driver maintains that the fundamental approach remains problematic.

In response to these concerns, F1 teams have already agreed to adjust the power unit balance, shifting from roughly 55/45 to 60/40 in favor of internal combustion engines by 2027. Verstappen has welcomed this change, though he's made no secret that a complete return to pure combustion engines would be his preferred solution. However, any such shift isn't expected until at least 2030, and some level of electrification will likely remain.

The reigning champion is currently preparing for his biggest GT3 challenge yet at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, fueling speculation about a potential permanent switch to endurance racing. But Marko sees no reason for panic, pointing to F1's deep talent pool. "Max's departure would certainly be a great loss, but that's how it is in sports," Marko told sport.de. "When someone leaves, a new one comes along and becomes the star."

The Austrian advisor highlighted the emergence of Lando Norris as a world champion, alongside established talents like Charles Leclerc and George Russell. Perhaps most notably, he pointed to 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the championship with Mercedes and continues to impress at every opportunity.

"But it's not just about whether Max likes it," Marko added. "It's about racing." He expressed doubts about whether F1 can ever return to what he considers 'pure racing' with the current generation of cars, regardless of rule changes. Meanwhile, the FIA continues efforts to reduce the 'yo-yo' overtaking patterns seen early this season, even as some fans have embraced the unpredictable action.