Red Bull GmbH announced the departure of its consultant Dr Helmut Marko from the F1 team after 20 years of service overseeing changes and its junior programme.
Having been part of the Red Bull team for two decades, Marko has decided to move away from his consulting role ahead of the 2026 F1 season. The 82-year-old has been instrumental in building the team and looking after its junior programme, which has seen several making to the top level.
He has been part of the core team for long but with the departure of the likes of Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheately and even Christian Horner, his time seemed short-lived. From the reports, Marko seemingly had a contract to be part of the team for the 2026 season.
But he was likely was pushed into making a quicker decision. Red Bull is entering the new era with its own power units along with the help of Ford. It already has Laurent Mekies at the helm, who is implementing his own set of personnel and ideas to lead the outfit.
Often outspoken, which includes the recent social media uproar relating to Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Marko has been part of multiple championship years at Red Bull and has helped several youngsters to achieve their F1 dream and world championship in case of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
“I have been involved in motorsport for six decades now, and the past 20-plus years at Red Bull have been an extraordinary and extremely successful journey,“ said Marko. “It has been a wonderful time that I have been able to help shape and share with so many talented people. Everything we have built and achieved together fills me with pride.
“Narrowly missing out on the world championship this season has moved me deeply and made it clear to me that now is the right moment for me personally to end this very long, intense, and successful chapter. I wish the entire team continued success and am convinced that they will be fighting for both world championship titles again next year.“
Red Bull boss Oliver Mintzlaff noted: “Helmut approached me with the wish to end his role as motorsport advisor at the end of the year. I deeply regret his decision, as he has been an influential figure for more than two decades, and his departure marks the end of an extraordinary era. Over more than 20 years, Helmut has earned incomparable merits for our team and the entire Red Bull motorsport family. He played a decisive role in all key strategic decisions that made Red Bull Racing what it is today: a multiple world champion, an engine of innovation, and a cornerstone of international motorsport.
“His instinct for exceptional talent not only shaped our junior program but also left a lasting impact on Formula 1 as a whole. Names like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen stand for the many drivers who were discovered, supported, and guided to the very top under his leadership. His passion, his courage to make clear decisions, and his ability to spot potential will remain unforgettable. After a long and intensive conversation, I knew I had to respect his wishes, as I gained the impression that the timing felt right for him to take this step.
“Even though his departure will leave a significant gap, our respect for his decision and our gratitude for everything he has done for Red Bull Racing outweigh it. Helmut Marko will be deeply missed—both personally and professionally. We wish him all the very best for the future and hope that he will remain closely and warmly connected to the team.“
At the same time, Mekies added: “It is very sad news that Helmut is leaving us. He has been such an integral part of our Team and of Red Bull’s entire motor racing programme for more than two decades. This is therefore the end of a remarkably successful chapter. His departure will leave a void, and we will truly miss him.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for his unwavering support, not only over the past months, but also during my early days at Scuderia Toro Rosso. On a personal note, Helmut, along with Oliver Mintzlaff, was the driving force behind bringing me back into the Red Bull family, first in Faenza and then this summer in my current role in Milton Keynes. Helmut is a real racer at heart, always pushing us to the limit, always prepared to take risks in pursuit of our goals.”
Stats as shared by Red Bull –
Constructors’ Championships: 6
Drivers’ Championships: 8
Races: 417
Wins: 130
Podiums: 233
Pole Positions: 111
Fastest Laps: 102
Engine suppliers worked with: 4
- Cosworth – 2005
- Ferrari – 2006
- Renault – 2007 – 2018
- Honda – 2019 – 2025
DRIVERS TO MAKE F1 FROM THE RED BULL JUNIOR TEAM: 17
Championships: 8
Wins (including wins for other teams): 137
Podiums (including podiums for other teams): 321
– Sebastian Vettel (4 x Drivers Champion)
– Max Verstappen (4 x Drivers Champion)
– Daniil Kvyat
– Isack Hadjar
– Liam Lawson
– Yuki Tsunoda
– Alex Albon
– Pierre Gasly
– Carlos Sainz
– Daniel Ricciardo
– Sebastien Buemi
– Scott Speed
– Jaime Alguersuari
– Brendon Hartley
– Jean Eric Vergne
– Christian Klien
– Vitantonio Liuzzi
Here’s Max Verstappen on lost title