Helmut Marko Explains His Decision to Leave Red Bull After 20 Years

Helmut Marko has confirmed his departure as Red Bull's chief advisor, ending a 20-year tenure that yielded eight drivers' titles and six constructors' championships. The 82-year-old Austrian states his decision was a personal consequence of Max Verstappen narrowly missing the 2025 world championship, not a dismissal, and marks the right moment to conclude six decades in motorsport.

Why it matters:

Marko's exit closes a defining chapter in modern Formula 1 history. As the architect of Red Bull's driver development program and a key strategist alongside Dietrich Mateschitz, he was instrumental in building the team from its inception into a multi-championship-winning powerhouse. His departure signals the end of an era for the team's leadership structure.

The details:

• Marko refutes rumors he was forced out, clarifying his contract had another year to run. He made the decision after the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen lost the title by two points.
• He took personal responsibility for the championship defeat, stating, "Max did everything right... The failure was not his fault, but because the car was not on the level of the McLarens in too many races. I felt co-responsible."
• His career began in the 1960s, forged through a legendary friendship with future world champion Jochen Rindt. Their shared passion for speed, including infamous drifts in a retired Volkswagen Beetle, led both to pursue racing.
• After Rindt's death in 1970, Marko committed to continuing his friend's path. He became a successful driver himself, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, before a career-ending accident in 1972—where a stone thrown up by another car cost him an eye—ended his Formula 1 driving prospects with Ferrari.
• He transitioned to talent management and team ownership, where he first crossed paths with Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in the early 1990s. This partnership laid the groundwork for Red Bull's F1 entry and its junior team.
• Marko was pivotal in key driver signings, most notably bringing a 17-year-old Max Verstappen directly into F1 in 2015, bypassing the traditional feeder series route that rivals like Mercedes advocated.

What's next:

Marko insists he will not fall into a void after his departure. He plans to focus on his forestry business, hotels, and other projects. However, his connection to F1 remains strong; he intends to install a second screen in his office to follow not only live sessions but also lap time developments. While his official chapter with Red Bull is over, his passion for the sport endures.