Helmut Marko has issued an Emotional Statement with Red Bull confirming h…read more
Helmut Marko has revealed that watching Max Verstappen narrowly lose the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship convinced him that the time had finally come to step away from Red Bull. The long-serving Red Bull motorsport advisor confirmed his departure in a deeply emotional announcement on Tuesday, declaring that he will officially leave the team at the end of the year.
For more than two decades, Marko has been a central pillar in Red Bull’s transformation from an ambitious newcomer into a dominant and respected powerhouse in Formula 1. Serving as the organisation’s motorsport advisor, he not only shaped Red Bull Racing’s competitive direction but also built and supervised the team’s entire junior driver programme. Under his guidance, several of the sport’s biggest modern names were discovered, developed, and propelled into F1.
Among the most notable talents Marko mentored was Sebastian Vettel, whom Red Bull promoted through the ranks before he eventually delivered four consecutive World Championships between 2010 and 2013. Marko also played an irreplaceable role in the meteoric rise of Max Verstappen. From signing Verstappen to the Red Bull academy as a teenager, to pushing for his early debut and later supporting his aggressive yet brilliant growth, Marko helped steer Verstappen to four titles from 2021 to 2024.
Reflecting on the journey, Marko described his Red Bull years as some of the most fulfilling of his career, which spans more than 60 years in motorsport.
“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,” he said in his farewell message.
He expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside talented engineers, mechanics, strategists, and drivers throughout his tenure. “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.”
According to Marko, Verstappen’s narrow miss of the 2025 championship deeply affected him and brought a sense of closure to his long chapter at Red Bull. The final race of the season was an emotional one for the team, and for Marko personally, it symbolised a turning point.
“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,” he explained.
Still, Marko made it clear that he leaves the organisation with nothing but optimism and confidence in its future. He believes Red Bull’s strong structure, engineering strength, and driver lineup will allow them to continue challenging at the top. “I wish the entire team continued success and am convinced that they will be fighting for both world championship titles again next year,” he added.
Following Marko’s announcement, Red Bull’s chief of corporate projects and investments, Oliver Mintzlaff, released a statement expressing deep respect and sadness over his departure. Mintzlaff revealed that Marko personally approached him with the decision to step down, and while he understood the sentiment behind it, he regretted losing such an influential figure.
“I deeply regret his decision, as he has been an influential figure for more than two decades, and his departure marks the end of an extraordinary era,” Mintzlaff said. He highlighted Marko’s exceptional leadership, sharp racing judgement, and his ability to spot and nurture talent long before the rest of the motorsport world took notice.
Mintzlaff emphasized that Marko’s contributions extended far beyond driver development.
“Over more than 20 years, Helmut has earned incomparable merits for our team and the entire Red Bull motorsport family. He played a decisive role in all key strategic decisions that made Red Bull Racing what it is today — a multiple world champion, an engine of innovation, and a cornerstone of international motorsport.”
Indeed, Marko’s influence shaped everything from driver promotions to long-term technical plans, partnerships, and the competitive culture that helped Red Bull rise to global success. His strong personality, direct approach, and relentless push for excellence became a defining part of Red Bull’s identity.
As Marko prepares to exit the team he helped build, the motorsport world acknowledges the end of one of Formula 1’s most impactful careers. His departure closes a monumental chapter for Red Bull, but the legacy he leaves behind — the championships, the talent pipeline, and the philosophy of relentless performance — will continue to shape the team for years to come.
