Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko has announced he will step down from the team at the end of 2025, concluding an extraordinary 20-year tenure that has helped define Red Bull Racing’s dominance in Formula 1.

Marko, 82, has been a key figure since the team’s formation in 2005, overseeing six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ titles, including guiding world champions Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen to the top of the sport.

A Career Shaping Red Bull’s Success

A former F1 driver and Le Mans winner, Marko played a central role in Red Bull’s driver development programme, helping launch the careers of 20 drivers and identifying exceptional talent.

Speaking on his decision to leave, Marko said:

“I have been involved in motorsport for six decades, and the past 20-plus years at Red Bull have been an extraordinary and extremely successful journey. Narrowly missing out on the world championship this season made it clear that now is the right moment for me personally to end this very long, intense, and successful chapter.”

Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff paid tribute to Marko’s impact, highlighting his strategic influence, talent-spotting skills, and pivotal role in making Red Bull a multiple world champion and a global motorsport powerhouse.

“Helmut played a decisive role in all key strategic decisions that made Red Bull Racing what it is today. His instinct for exceptional talent not only shaped our junior programme but also left a lasting impact on Formula 1 as a whole,” Mintzlaff said.

Verstappen Reacts to Marko’s Departure

Max Verstappen, who shares a close working relationship with Marko, expressed his emotions about the move but has accepted that it is time for his long-time ally to step down. Sources indicate that Marko’s decision was influenced by his reduced control over team operations following the reshuffle after former team principal Christian Horner’s sacking in July 2025.

One notable incident reportedly contributing to his departure was Marko signing Irish driver Alex Dunne to Red Bull’s junior programme against the wishes of Mintzlaff and team principal Laurent Mekies, creating internal tension.

Controversies and Legacy

Marko’s time at Red Bull has not been without controversy, including past remarks about former driver Sergio Perez’s performance, for which he later apologised.

Despite this, his legacy is undeniable. Marko’s vision and guidance helped turn Red Bull Racing into a dominant F1 team, producing legendary drivers like Vettel and Verstappen, and establishing one of the sport’s most successful eras.

“Everything we have built and achieved together fills me with pride,” Marko said, reflecting on his 20-year journey at Red Bull.