Laurent Mekies pays tribute to 'driving force' Helmut Marko as Red Bull exit confirmed

Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies has confirmed that outgoing motorsport advisor Helmut Marko was a 'driving force' behind his appointment to the role, calling the 82-year-old's departure 'very sad news' that will leave a significant void within the team. Marko's exit, confirmed by Red Bull GmbH, concludes a more than 20-year tenure that was fundamental to the team's rise to multiple world championships.

Why it matters:

Helmut Marko's influence extends far beyond his official title. He was a central architect of Red Bull's Formula 1 philosophy, responsible for its legendary driver development program and a key strategic voice. His departure, following that of long-time team principal Christian Horner earlier in 2025, marks the definitive end of an era for the championship-winning squad, raising questions about the future direction and culture of the team.

The details:

• In a team statement, Mekies expressed his personal gratitude to Marko, revealing the advisor and Red Bull executive Oliver Mintzlaff were crucial in bringing him back to the Red Bull family, first to lead Racing Bulls and then to succeed Horner at the senior team.
• Marko's legacy is inextricably linked to identifying and nurturing world-class talent, most notably four-time champions Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
• His decision to step down comes after Red Bull narrowly missed out on the 2025 drivers' championship to McLaren's Lando Norris, a result he described as deeply moving and a sign that the timing was right for him personally to conclude his chapter.
• Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull's chief executive of corporate projects and investments, stated he deeply regretted but respected Marko's decision, acknowledging the 'significant gap' his departure will create.

What's next:

With both Horner and Marko now gone, the leadership structure at Red Bull Racing has undergone its most profound change in two decades. Laurent Mekies, supported by Oliver Mintzlaff, will now be tasked with steering the team into its next chapter without two of its foundational pillars. The focus shifts to 2026, where Marko expressed confidence the team would again fight for titles, but the challenge will be maintaining the unique, risk-taking culture he helped instill.