Helmut Marko’s Red Bull exit fuelled by ‘M…read more
Helmut Marko’s long and influential association with Red Bull Racing appears to be drawing to a close, and a new report suggests his own actions in recent months may have accelerated his exit. What initially looked like speculation following the Abu Dhabi season finale has now developed into a clearer picture of internal disagreements, controversial decisions, and strained relationships within the Red Bull organisation.
In the hours after the 2025 season wrapped up in Abu Dhabi, Marko gave cryptic comments about his future, hinting that he needed to “sleep over it” before deciding his next steps. Those comments immediately sparked rumours that his time at Red Bull was under threat. As days passed, those rumours solidified. Various media outlets began reporting that Marko is expected to leave the company at the end of the year, marking the end of an era within the Red Bull motorsport structure.
Among those confirming his impending departure is the Dutch outlet De Limburger, which has gone further by outlining some of the internal issues that reportedly led to tensions with Red Bull senior management. According to their investigation, a series of unilateral decisions made by Marko created friction at the top levels of the organisation, ultimately making his position untenable.
One of the biggest flashpoints involved Red Bull junior driver signings. Marko, who has long overseen the Red Bull Driver Academy, has historically been trusted to scout and recruit young talent. However, De Limburger reports that Marko moved ahead with key signings without obtaining proper approval from other top officials, including shareholders, team principal Laurent Mekies, and senior executive Oliver Mintzlaff.
The first instance involved the young driver Arvid Lindblad, who has secured a seat with Racing Bulls for the 2026 Formula 1 season. While Red Bull insiders expected discussions about Lindblad’s path, Marko reportedly finalised the deal independently, sidelining the collaborative process the team had tried to adopt in recent years.
A more serious dispute arose with another young talent, Alex Dunne. According to the report, Red Bull’s management had already concluded that Dunne would not be part of the junior programme moving forward. Despite this clear decision, Marko is said to have gone behind the scenes and signed Dunne anyway, without informing anyone else involved in the decision-making process.
The report states: “Marko knew it had already been ruled out by shareholders, team boss Laurent Mekies, and sporting director Mintzlaff that Dunne would not be considered for the junior programme. Yet he proceeded to sign the Irish driver regardless, keeping it hidden from everyone.”
This covert decision reportedly caused shock and frustration within the team. Once the management discovered what had happened, Marko was immediately instructed to cancel the contract. Red Bull then faced financial consequences, as terminating the agreement required paying a substantial compensation fee. Dunne, who had exited McLaren’s development setup earlier in the year, was never officially introduced as a Red Bull junior, a clear sign of the internal breakdown.
The turmoil surrounding Marko did not end with contractual issues. After the Qatar Grand Prix, he became the centre of controversy again when he publicly accused rising star Kimi Antonelli of intentionally giving up a position to Lando Norris during a heated championship battle. Antonelli’s momentary loss of pace, which allowed Norris to gain two critical points, had already sparked debate, but Marko’s comments inflamed the situation significantly.
Red Bull leadership was reportedly furious with Marko’s remarks, as they triggered a wave of online abuse toward Antonelli. The young driver received more than 1,000 negative messages, including threats, forcing Red Bull to demand that Marko issue a formal apology. The incident was seen internally as another example of behaviour that no longer aligned with the team’s values or its public image strategy.
If Marko does officially depart, it will mark yet another major change within Red Bull Racing’s structure. The team has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past year. Jonathan Wheatley left in the previous season, while legendary designer Adrian Newey and long-time team principal Christian Horner both exited earlier in the current campaign. Marko’s departure would continue what has effectively become a full-scale reshaping of the organisation’s leadership.
For over two decades, Helmut Marko has been an influential figure in Red Bull’s motorsport empire, shaping the careers of champions such as Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel. But according to the latest reports, internal disagreements, unsanctioned decisions, and recent controversies may have finally pushed him toward the exit door—closing a significant chapter in the team’s history.
