Ted Kravitz delivers parting shot at Helmut Marko following Red Bull departure
Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz gave a blunt send-off to Helmut Marko after the advisor left Red Bull, recalling being called a 'trained monkey' but acknowledging a trace of respect for the controversial 'old school racer' whose time, he says, has finished.
Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz has bid a characteristically sharp farewell to Helmut Marko, the long-serving Red Bull advisor whose departure was confirmed after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Kravitz acknowledged a sliver of sentiment for the "old school racer" before firmly stating the Austrian's time in the sport had come to an end.
Why it matters:
Helmut Marko was a pivotal and controversial architect of Red Bull's dynasty, responsible for scouting talents like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. His exit marks the end of an era for the team and removes one of Formula 1's most outspoken and polarizing figures from the paddock, signaling a potential shift in Red Bull's internal culture and public persona.
The details:
- Kravitz's comments came on The F1 Show podcast, where he recalled personal interactions with Marko from the Sebastian Vettel championship years.
- He recounted how Marko would refer to him as Christian Horner's "trained monkey" when he was waiting to interview the Team Principal.
- The pundit acknowledged Marko's history of controversial statements, citing "stupid comments about Antonelli" and "disgusting comments" about Sergio Perez where he blamed the driver's form on his ethnicity.
- Despite this, Kravitz conceded Marko had a human side, recalling when the advisor comforted a tearful "GP" (likely former Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase) on the pit wall.
The big picture:
Marko's departure concludes a decades-long tenure defined by ruthless talent management, fierce loyalty to Red Bull, and a propensity for incendiary remarks that often overshadowed his racing acumen. His role diminished following the passing of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, and his exit appears to be part of a broader consolidation of power within the team's leadership. For many in the media and wider F1 community, his absence will be seen as a move towards a less confrontational paddock environment.
What's next:
With Marko's influential voice removed from Red Bull's strategy, the team's future driver development program and its internal dynamics will be closely watched. The focus now shifts entirely to the leadership of Christian Horner and the on-track battle, as Red Bull aims to reclaim the Constructors' Championship without one of its most iconic figures.