Marko will be missed, just not by Red Bull Racing
There is no official statement from Red Bull Racing yet, but Helmut Marko appears to be on his way out at the Austrian team. While this may sound like a major loss from the outside, the reality is far less dramatic.
Though Marko attended every Grand Prix, his role within Red Bull Racing had long ceased to be operational. In recent years, he primarily acted as a sounding board, including for Max Verstappen.
Above all, Marko was a media favourite. In an era dominated by PR teams and carefully curated statements, the Austrian never shied away from speaking his mind. If he had something to say, he said it, unfiltered and unreserved.
Marko stirred unrest
Marko often stirred controversy within the team, most recently following the Qatar Grand Prix. He complained that Andrea Kimi Antonelli had allowed Lando Norris to pass too easily, a move he deemed disadvantageous for Max Verstappen. Antonelli quickly found himself under heavy criticism on social media.
Red Bull Racing was forced to backtrack on the remarks the following day, without directly naming Marko. However, it was clear to everyone that an unnecessary storm had been stirred, with Marko playing a leading role.
Major row with Horner
It should also not be forgotten that Marko had a major falling-out with Christian Horner, the team principal, who ultimately left Red Bull. Perhaps Marko believed he had won the power struggle, but Red Bull GmbH seems determined to clean house and prevent such excesses in the future. The plan appears to be a more corporate approach to running the team, without Marko.
That said, Helmut Marko’s presence will be sorely missed in Formula 1 and at Red Bull Racing. He was one of the last truly authentic figures in the paddock, a key architect of Red Bull’s success. But he was also a lightning rod for controversy, entertaining for outsiders and the media, yet often challenging for Red Bull itself.
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