Helmut Marko dismisses rumors of team talks as 'silly little rumours' spread by British press

Helmut Marko has dismissed reports of him contacting other Formula 1 teams as "silly little rumours" primarily spread by the British press, confirming his commitment to Red Bull until his planned departure at the end of 2025. The 82-year-old advisor reflected on his 20-year tenure with the team, which included 14 world titles, and expressed his disappointment at narrowly missing out on the 2025 drivers' championship with Max Verstappen.

Why it matters:

Marko's public rebuttal highlights the intense media speculation surrounding key personnel movements in Formula 1, especially involving influential figures linked to a dominant team. His comments also underscore the often-contentious relationship between F1 insiders and the press, particularly the British media which drives much of the sport's global narrative. The clarification comes as Red Bull prepares for a significant transition in its leadership structure.

The details:

• Marko explicitly stated he is not considering any other team, calling the rumors "silly" and attributing their origin mainly to the British press.
• His departure from Red Bull Racing was officially confirmed just two days after the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen lost the World Championship to Lando Norris by a mere two points.
• Marko revealed he was one of the few within the team who maintained belief in Verstappen's title chances until the very end, alongside the driver's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase.
• He described the narrow miss as a "huge disappointment" that contributed to his decision that the end of 2025 was the right time to step down.
• The Austrian emphasized he is leaving on excellent terms with Red Bull and expressed confidence that the team is "very well positioned" for the future without him.

The big picture:

Marko's exit marks the end of a defining era for Red Bull. He was instrumental in founding the team in 2005 following its takeover of Jaguar and has been a central figure in its rise to a championship-winning force. His departure, following that of team principal Christian Horner earlier in the year, signals a major shift in the team's senior management. Despite the change, Marko's legacy is cemented by 14 world titles secured during his two-decade involvement, shaping the careers of drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

What's next:

Marko will remain with Red Bull until the conclusion of the 2025 season. He plans to remain connected to the sport, indicating he will "certainly be seen at the racetrack from time to time" in a different capacity. His focus until his departure will be on ensuring a smooth transition, leaving behind a team structure he believes is cohesive and ready to improve. The coming months will likely see continued speculation about his potential advisory role elsewhere, despite his current denials.