Helmut Marko walks away from Red Bull after 20 remarkable years
Helmut Marko has officially ended his 20-year stint as Red Bull Racing’s motorsport advisor, the team confirmed today.
“I have been involved in motorsport for six decades now, and the past 20-plus years at Red Bull have been an extraordinary and extremely successful journey,” Marko said.
The timing is striking—just two days after Max Verstappen narrowly lost the 2025 World Championship to Lando Norris by a mere two points.
Sources at GPblog understood that discussions about Marko’s future took place Monday in Abu Dhabi, with his departure emerging as the likely outcome.
It didn’t take long for that prediction to become reality.
The 82-year-old Austrian leaves behind a legacy that transformed Red Bull from an energy drink company’s passion project into an F1 powerhouse. During his tenure, the team claimed six Constructors’ Championships and an impressive eight Drivers’ titles.
“It has been a wonderful time that I have been able to help shape and share with so many talented people. Everything we have built and achieved together fills me with pride,” he reflected.
Marko admitted that this season’s heartbreaking championship loss factored into his decision.
“Narrowly missing out on the world championship this season has moved me deeply and made it clear to me that now is the right moment for me personally to end this very long, intense, and successful chapter.”
His impact extends far beyond the race track results.
Marko’s leadership of Red Bull’s Junior Program was nothing short of revolutionary. He personally scouted and developed 17 drivers who eventually made it to Formula 1—including superstars like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, both four-time world champions.
The talent pipeline he built continues flowing, with Isack Hadjar set to join Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026.
When Marko joined the Austrian team after they took over from Jaguar in 2005, few could have predicted the dominant force they would become. His eye for talent and ruthless decision-making helped shape the modern F1 landscape.
“I wish the entire team continued success and am convinced that they will be fighting for both world championship titles again next year,” Marko added.
The F1 paddock won’t be quite the same without his brutally honest assessments and distinctive presence.
