Helmut Marko to step down from Red Bull role at year's end

Red Bull is set to lose its most defining motorsport figure as Helmut Marko, the architect of its F1 success, will step down from his role as motorsport advisor at the end of the year. The 82-year-old Austrian, who has been with the energy drink company's racing program for over two decades, confirmed his departure, stating the recent near-miss of the championship clarified it was the right time for him to personally end this chapter.

Why it matters:

Marko's departure marks the definitive end of an era for Red Bull Racing. As the strategic mastermind and ruthless talent scout behind the team's rise from newcomer to a multiple world championship-winning powerhouse, his influence is woven into the fabric of the organization. His exit removes a central pillar of leadership and continuity, raising questions about the future direction of the team's driver development and overall strategy without its most experienced and decisive figure.

The details:

• In an official statement, Marko described his over 20 years with Red Bull as an "extraordinary and extremely successful journey," filled with pride for what was built.
• He explicitly linked his decision to the 2025 season outcome, saying, "That we only narrowly missed the championship this season touched me deeply and made it clear to me that the right moment has now come for me to personally end this very long, intensive, and successful chapter."
• Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff emphasized the decision was Marko's own, stating he came to him with the wish to end his role. After a long conversation, Mintzlaff said he felt compelled to respect the wish as the time seemed right for Marko.
• Mintzlaff paid extensive tribute, calling Marko an "extremely influential personality" for over two decades and stating his departure "marks the end of an extraordinary era."
• He credited Marko with making the team "what it is today—a multiple world champion, an innovation engine, and a cornerstone of international motorsport" through all major strategic decisions.

The big picture:

Helmut Marko's legacy at Red Bull is unparalleled in modern F1. He was the driving force behind the Red Bull Junior Team, a driver academy that has produced two of the sport's most dominant champions: Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. His keen eye for talent and uncompromising approach to performance defined Red Bull's competitive culture. While the team will continue, it must now navigate its future without the man who was its most constant and formidable strategic presence since its inception.

What's next:

Red Bull enters 2026 without the man who has been its motorsport compass for a generation. The focus will shift to how the leadership team, including Team Principal Christian Horner and CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, structures its operations moving forward. A key question will be who, if anyone, assumes Marko's unique responsibilities in scouting and managing the team's pipeline of future driving talent, a area where his impact was perhaps most profoundly felt.