Helmut Marko to Receive Eight-Figure Payout Following Red Bull Departure
Dr. Helmut Marko will receive a reported €10 million payout from Red Bull as he leaves the team at the end of 2025, a year before his contract expires. The settlement concludes the 82-year-old's pivotal 20-year tenure, during which he built the champion driver program and helped secure multiple titles.
Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko will reportedly receive a €10 million payout, equivalent to his full 2026 salary, as he parts ways with the team at the end of 2025. The 82-year-old Austrian, a foundational figure since the team's 2005 inception, announced his decision to step down this week, concluding over six decades in motorsport and a contract originally set to run through 2026.
Why it matters:
Marko's departure and the substantial financial settlement mark the end of an era for Red Bull Racing. As the architect of the team's legendary driver development program and a key strategist behind four Constructors' and six Drivers' Championships, his exit removes a central pillar of the organization's success. The 'golden handshake' underscores his immense value to the team and signals a significant shift in Red Bull's senior leadership structure.
The details:
The payout, reported by German outlet BILD, is framed as a mutual agreement and a gesture of appreciation for Marko's two decades of service, rather than a standard contract termination. In his departure statement, Marko cited the emotional impact of narrowly missing the 2025 championship as a catalyst for his decision, stating it clarified that "now is the right moment" to end the chapter. His role extended far beyond that of a typical advisor; he was instrumental in scouting and nurturing the careers of drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, and Daniel Ricciardo, fundamentally shaping the team's competitive DNA.
The big picture:
Marko's exit is the latest in a series of high-profile changes within the Red Bull organization over the past year, following the earlier departure of long-time team principal Christian Horner. It leaves a considerable void in the team's strategic and talent development operations. While the team has expressed confidence in its continued success, replacing Marko's unique blend of experience, authority, and driver-management acumen presents a formidable challenge. His departure concludes one of the most influential non-driving careers in modern F1 history, spanning the team's journey from a midfield newcomer to a dominant championship force.
What's next:
Red Bull must now navigate the 2026 season and major new regulations without two of its most iconic leaders. The focus will shift to how the team restructures its senior management and whether it can maintain its vaunted driver development pipeline. For Marko, the payout facilitates a graceful exit from the frontline pressures of F1, though his deep connections within the sport make a complete retirement from motorsport unlikely.