Helmut Marko, an 80-year-old senior motorsport advisor associated with Red Bull Racing, predates the team’s entry into Formula One. Since the team’s inception in 2005, Marko has played a crucial role in guiding the racing outfit to success. His keen eyes were responsible for the inclusion of Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettle in the past.
However, Helmut Marko landed in multiple controversies during the last Formula One season. From passing racist comments on Sergio Perez to brutally downplaying rivals’ competitiveness, Marko found himself in trouble over his candid nature. Thus, with his contract reaching its expiration at the end of the 2024 season, rumors speculated about the senior official’s imminent exit.
Helmut Marko To Serve In Red Bull For Three More Years!
Red Bull Racing’s senior motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, reportedly witnessed a power tussle with team principal Christian Horner after the death of the outfit’s founder, Mark Mateschitz. Apparently, Marko was close to Mark, and following his death, power dynamics witnessed a shift. Many rumors suggested that Horner intended to initiate a coup through which he wanted to shunt Marko out of the team. However, the team principal quickly dismissed the rumors and said that he had known Helmut for 27 years. Relationships don’t change overnight. Having said that, the 80-year-old confirmed that his future will be discussed this winter as his contract is expiring by the end of the 2024 season.
Turns out, an 80-year-old Helmut Marko has much steam left in him. Planet F1 has learned that Marko has agreed to a three-year extension contract with parent company Red Bull GmbH. The new three-year contract reflects the confidence and trust that Bulls places in Marko’s vision and leadership. Marko’s influence extends beyond the racing team, as he works closely with Red Bull’s driver development program. The success stories of drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Max Verstappen, all of whom have graduated from the team’s junior team under Marko’s guidance, highlight the effectiveness of this talent development pipeline. Thus, by keeping Marko in the fold, the drink-based outfit intends to prolong success and dominance over the sport.
Christian Horner To Hire A Deputy Team Principal?
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is perhaps the busiest man on the F1 paddock owing to his team’s enormous turnaround. From struggling in mid-grid to unleashing absolute dominance, Horner has been a crucial part of the drink-based outfit’s awe-inspiring turnaround. However, over the years, Horner’s workload has witnessed a steep increase. Moreover, with many team principals opting to skip race weekends, Horner addressed the need for a deputy team principal.
Christian Horner dismissed the need for a deputy team principal to cut down his workload. “I attend every single race. I’ve attended every single grand prix that Red Bull have competed in since 2005. It would be like Alex Ferguson not going to a football match [if I wasn’t at a race],” said Horner. The team boss reckoned that he is as committed as before to serving himself to the team. Moreover, despite the team reaching the pinnacle of motorsport, Horner has no plans to slow down anytime soon.
