After missing out on the world title, the Red Bull Formula 1 racing team is repositioning itself. After the dismissal of team boss Christian Horner, the second powerful official in the team is now leaving the ship early.
Personnel quake in the Red Bull Formula 1 racing team. According to information from the “Telegraph”, the separation between the energy drink group and motorsport consultant Helmut Marko has been decided. According to a report, the 82-year-old Austrian will leave his role at the end of the year – even though his contract was valid up to and including the next Formula 1 season.
Officially, Marko is leaving at his own request after 20 years. According to “Bild”, that is only half the truth. Those responsible at Red Bull have been wanting a complete restart for a long time. Above all, Oliver Mintzlaff. The former CEO of Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, who is now the sports director of the Brause group, had already dismissed CEO and team boss Christian Horner in July after 20 years in office. Marko is now the second of the two powerful men in the racing team.
On Sunday, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen missed his fifth world title in a row despite a strong comeback. Although the Dutchman won the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi, a third place was enough for McLaren driver Lando Norris (Great Britain) to become Formula 1 world champion for the first time. His lead was a razor-thin two points.
Marko won the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Marko from Graz has a doctorate in law and was once a racing driver himself. In 1971 he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and a year later he ended his active career after a serious accident. He later became a hotelier, team boss and then head of motorsports and driver mentor at Red Bull. There he managed, among other things, the young talent program.
After the race in Abu Dhabi, Marko left his future open: “Let’s see if I’ll still be there next season.” He told “Bild”: “It’s still a decision that I make personally.”
Due to his relationship with Verstappen, Marko was actually considered uncancellable. At the beginning of the season, the four-time world champion even tied his personal future in the team to the whereabouts of his discoverer and sponsor. It is unclear whether he would still do this.
