Red Bull ‘make decision’ on Sebastian Vettel’s potential return after Marko’s exit
Red Bull Racing have reportedly reached a firm internal decision regarding whether Sebastian Vettel could return to the organisation as a replacement for Helmut Marko, following the long-serving advisor’s confirmed departure. Speculation had been intense across the paddock ever since the team announced that Marko, one of the most influential figures in Red Bull’s motorsport project, would step aside at the end of the 2025 season.
Marko, who joined Red Bull at the very beginning of their Formula 1 journey in 2005, has been instrumental in shaping the team’s identity and competitive success. Over two decades, he played a decisive role in scouting, mentoring, and developing some of the sport’s biggest stars—including four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull’s current talisman, Max Verstappen. His strong personality, uncompromising approach, and sharp eye for talent became central to Red Bull’s rise from midfield outsiders to dominant championship contenders.
However, after the dramatic conclusion of the 2025 campaign—one in which Verstappen narrowly missed securing a fifth consecutive world title—Red Bull shocked the F1 community by announcing that Marko had chosen to step away from his advisory role. The 82-year-old later issued an emotional statement, explaining that the disappointment of narrowly losing the championship served as a personal turning point.
“Missing out on the world championship this season affected me deeply,” Marko said. “It made it clear that this is the right moment for me to close this long, intense, and incredibly successful chapter of my life.”
With his exit now official, debate immediately intensified around who might fill the influential role he leaves behind. Unsurprisingly, Sebastian Vettel’s name resurfaced as a possible candidate. The German icon, who drove for Red Bull during the most successful phase in the team’s history and delivered four straight drivers’ titles between 2010 and 2013, has maintained a positive relationship with Marko even after retiring from F1 in 2022.
Both Vettel and Marko previously acknowledged that informal discussions had taken place regarding a potential administrative or leadership return for Vettel. These early talks ignited excitement among fans who hoped the partnership that once dominated the sport could be revived in a new capacity.
But according to a new report from BILD, Red Bull will not be appointing anyone to replace Marko—at least for now. The outlet claims that the organisation has internally decided to leave the motorsport advisor position vacant, concluding that the structure of the team no longer requires a direct successor.
As BILD reported:
“It is unclear whether Vettel would even be interested in taking up the motorsport advisor role at the energy drink company. What is certain is that he remains open to some form of administrative return to Red Bull. However, this will not happen at the moment. The team has decided that the powerful position previously held by Marko will not be filled.”
This development raises an important question: Could Vettel still return to Red Bull in another form, even if the advisor role remains empty?
Vettel, who stepped away from racing to focus on family life and environmental advocacy, has continued to make appearances in F1 paddocks. Instead of racing, he now channels his influence into sustainability and equality initiatives. A notable example came at the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix, where he spearheaded the “F1 FOREST” project—a campaign encouraging drivers and team members to draw trees as symbols of their commitment to combating deforestation in the Amazon.
Yet despite his high-profile presence and continued love for the sport, Vettel has publicly played down the rumours linking him to a leadership position. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 during the Brazilian GP, he dismissed suggestions that those early discussions with Marko ever became serious.
“There was a lot of talk,” Vettel explained. “Yes, I spoke with Helmut a little, but nothing concrete ever developed. It never really went anywhere. Honestly, I’m happy with where I am in life right now. I still love Formula 1—I follow every race because I love the sport and I know so many of the people involved.”
With Red Bull appearing to have made their internal decision and Vettel expressing contentment with his current path, the situation seems settled—at least for now. Whether Red Bull truly believes that Marko’s role is no longer necessary or whether the team is simply buying time before appointing a new figure, only time will tell.
