It had been in the air for a while, but now it has been officially confirmed by Red Bull. Helmut Marko is leaving the Austrian racing stable, bringing an end to an era. Marko will leave Red Bull at the end of this year.
Marko has been associated with Red Bull since the beginning in 2005. As a team advisor, he played an important role within the team, and was responsible for the junior team, among other things. Marko was seen as the discoverer of, among other things Max Verstappen, and is known as a confidant of the Dutchman.
After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix it became clear that Marko would leave Red Bull. He himself stated that he should sleep on it, but on Monday it became clear that a departure was imminent.
Marko wanted to leave himself
The parent company of Red Bull Racing shared the news today in a press release. Red Bull leader Oliver Mintzlaff provided explanation in a statement: “Helmut approached me with the wish to end his role as advisor at the end of the year. I deeply regret his decision as he has been an influential figure for more than twenty years and his departure marks the end of an era.”
‘He will be missed’
According to Mintzlaff, Red Bull is very grateful to Marko: “His instinct for exceptional talent has not only shaped our talent programme, but has also had a lasting impact on Formula 1 as a whole. Names like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen symbolize the many drivers who have been discovered, supported and guided to the top under his leadership. His passion, his courage to make clear decisions and his ability to recognize potential will remain unforgettable.”
“After a long and intensive conversation, I knew I had to respect his wishes as I got the impression that the timing felt right for him to take this step. Although his departure will leave a significant void, our respect for his decision and our gratitude for everything he has done for Red Bull outweighs him. He will be greatly missed, both personally and professionally.”
20 Years, 417 Races, 6 Constructors’ Championships, 8 Drivers’ Championships.
Thank you, Helmut đź’™ pic.twitter.com/svFn8TTJc7
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) December 9, 2025
