Helmut Marko Casts Doubt on His Future at Red Bull as Internal Shifts Continue
Long-time Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has suggested that his time with the Formula 1 team may be nearing its end, raising new questions about the direction of the reigning powerhouse after a season filled with major changes and unexpected disappointments.
Marko, a towering figure within the Red Bull organisation for nearly two decades, has been instrumental in shaping the team’s most successful eras. Through his leadership of Red Bull’s young driver development programme, he identified and nurtured talents such as Sebastian Vettel, who delivered four consecutive drivers’ championships, and Max Verstappen, whose aggressive talent and relentless consistency transformed the team into a modern F1 benchmark.
However, after the dramatic conclusion of the 2025 season—where Red Bull lost both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships—Marko revealed that he may not be part of the team’s structure when Formula 1 returns next year.
Speaking shortly after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he hinted at personal uncertainty and upcoming discussions that will determine his future.
“I will have a discussion, and then I will see what I will do,” Marko said. “It’s a combination of many different things. I need time to think, to sleep over it, and then we’ll see.”
His comments have immediately fuelled speculation across the paddock. At 82 years old, Marko has faced increased scrutiny and pressure this season, not only because of Red Bull’s championship defeat but also due to significant internal restructuring at the team. The departure of long-time team principal Christian Horner, replaced by former Ferrari and FIA figure Laurent Mekies, marked one of the biggest leadership shake-ups in Red Bull’s history. Many insiders believe this shift has forced Marko to reconsider his role, influence, and long-term plans.
The 2025 campaign was one of the most intense in Red Bull’s recent memory. Despite winning more races than any other team, Red Bull found itself narrowly out-performed when it mattered most. Lando Norris of McLaren clinched his maiden championship title, while his teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen formed a fierce rivalry that lasted until the final race weekend.
Red Bull arrived in Abu Dhabi needing a strong team performance, but the cards simply didn’t fall their way. Verstappen managed to secure a podium, yet it wasn’t enough to overturn Norris’s points advantage. The final margin—just two points—proved painfully small for a team accustomed to dominating entire seasons.
Reflecting on the outcome, Marko did not hide his disappointment.
“Of course I’m a bit disappointed that we missed out on the title by two points,” he told De Telegraaf. “But at the same time, it also gives us a lot of confidence that we came back like this. It shows that we still have the technical expertise.”
Marko noted that the team’s strong development pace later in the season demonstrated Red Bull’s ability to recover from early-season shortcomings. However, he pointed out that their main rivals—Mercedes and Ferrari—were not competitive enough in Abu Dhabi to play any strategic role in helping Red Bull disrupt McLaren’s charge.
“Today it wasn’t really there, also because Mercedes and Ferrari weren’t fast enough and couldn’t help us,” he explained. “It is nice that we won the most races this season, but in 10 years, all anyone will care about is who became champion.”
This comment reflects Marko’s long-standing philosophy about Formula 1: that history remembers titles, not statistics. His mindset has always been laser-focused on winning championships, and losing one by such a narrow margin appears to have struck a particularly emotional chord.
As the dust settles on the 2025 season, the uncertainty surrounding Marko’s future adds another layer of intrigue to Red Bull’s already complex off-track narrative. With new leadership in place, evolving team dynamics, and the pressure to reclaim their championship dominance, Red Bull now faces a transitional period unlike any they have experienced in more than a decade.
If Marko does decide to depart, it would mark the end of an era for the team and for Formula 1. His influence on the sport—from talent development to competitive strategy—has shaped multiple generations of racing stars. Whether he steps aside completely, moves into a reduced advisory role, or continues for one final season remains to be seen, but his potential exit will undoubtedly have a significant impact.
For now, Marko remains contemplative, signaling that the decision will come only after careful thought. Red Bull, meanwhile, prepares for what could be one of the most important off-seasons in its history.
