Helmut Marko's future after Red Bull: Retirement or a new role in F1?

Helmut Marko's 20-year tenure at Red Bull Racing is definitively over, confirmed by the team. The 82-year-old Austrian's exit immediately raises the question of what comes next for one of Formula 1's most iconic and outspoken figures: a quiet retirement or a new chapter within the sport he helped shape.

Why it matters:

Marko has been a central architect of Red Bull's success, instrumental in discovering talents like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. His departure marks the end of an era for the team and removes a dominant, often controversial voice from the inner circle of a championship-winning operation. His next move will signal whether F1's most seasoned power broker is truly stepping away.

The details:

• While retirement to focus on family and his hotel business is a logical step for an 82-year-old, Marko's lifelong passion for F1 makes a complete exit seem unlikely.
• A move to another team on the grid is considered improbable. Marko is intrinsically linked to Red Bull's identity, and his history of pointed criticism—such as past comments about Aston Martin's Lance Stroll—could complicate relationships with other team principals.
• The most plausible avenue for continued involvement is a shift to the media. His candid, often provocative opinions make him a natural fit for a punditry role, with German and Austrian broadcasters likely already expressing interest.

What's next:

The F1 paddock will closely watch for Marko's next announcement. A media role would allow him to remain a vocal part of the sport's conversation without the constraints of a team position. Regardless of his choice, his absence from Red Bull's strategy meetings will be one of the most significant shifts in the team's dynamic as it navigates the post-Marko era.