Marko declines to name successor, says Red Bull's future is 'their decision'

Helmut Marko has officially confirmed his departure from Red Bull Racing, stepping down from all duties after more than two decades with the team. In an exclusive conversation, the long-time advisor pointedly refused to be drawn into discussions about his potential successor, stating the decision rests solely with the Red Bull organization.

Why it matters:

Marko's exit marks the definitive end of an era that shaped modern Red Bull Racing, from its championship-winning drivers to its junior program. His refusal to anoint a successor leaves a significant power vacuum in the team's strategic leadership, raising questions about who will fill the influential advisory role that helped guide the careers of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

The details:

• Marko confirmed he has fully stepped down, with no further discussions planned about his role.
• When asked directly about his replacement, he stated, "There haven't been any further discussions, and that is a decision up to Red Bull."
• The conversation touched on the potential for Sebastian Vettel to return to F1 in a non-driving capacity, with the four-time champion himself expressing openness to the right opportunity.
• Marko was specifically asked if Vettel would be a good candidate for his former role but declined to comment, saying, "I don't, you know, I'm out, and I don't interfere from the outside."

The big picture:

Marko's departure concludes one of the most influential tenures in recent F1 history. He was instrumental not only in the success of the senior F1 team but also in architecting the Red Bull Junior Team, a pipeline that produced multiple world champions. His hands-off approach to his succession underscores a clean break, leaving the team's future leadership structure entirely in the hands of the Red Bull hierarchy as they navigate the post-Marko era.