Helmut Marko to Step Down as Red Bull Motorsport Advisor After Over Two Decades of Influence

Red Bull has confirmed that longtime motorsport advisor Helmut Marko will step down from his role at the end of the 2025 season, bringing to a close one of the most influential chapters in modern Formula 1 history. The 82-year-old Austrian, who has been instrumental in shaping Red Bull’s motorsport empire since the early 2000s, will also conclude his leadership of the Red Bull Junior Program.

Marko played a pivotal role in establishing Red Bull Racing as a dominant force in Formula 1, helping oversee six Constructors’ Championships, eight Drivers’ Championships, and the development of multiple superstar talents.

Marko: “Now is the right moment to end this extraordinary chapter”

Reflecting on his decision, Marko said the conclusion of the 2025 campaign — in which Red Bull narrowly missed out on the world championship — made him realise the time was right to step back.

“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,” he said. “Everything we have built and achieved together fills me with pride… now is the right moment for me personally to end this very long, intense, and successful chapter.”

He thanked the team and expressed confidence that Red Bull will remain a top contender in the 2026 season and beyond.

Red Bull: “The end of an extraordinary era”

Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, paid tribute to Marko’s massive impact on the team and the sport.

“Helmut has been an influential figure for more than two decades, and his departure marks the end of an extraordinary era,” Mintzlaff said. “He played a decisive role in all key strategic decisions that made Red Bull Racing a multiple world champion and a cornerstone of international motorsport.”

Mintzlaff highlighted Marko’s unmatched instinct for young talent, which shaped the Red Bull Junior Program and launched the careers of some of Formula 1’s biggest names, including Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

Two Decades of Dominance: Marko’s Legacy in Numbers

Marko’s influence spans across all Red Bull-owned teams and engine partnerships, resulting in one of the most impressive performance records in modern motorsport.

Combined Achievements Across All Teams

• Constructors’ Championships: 6
• Drivers’ Championships: 8
• Races: 816
• Wins: 132
• Podiums: 321
• Pole Positions: 111
• Fastest Laps: 106

Engine Partnerships Under His Tenure

• Cosworth (2005)
• Ferrari (2006)
• Renault (2007–2018)
• Honda (2019–2025)

Red Bull Racing (Flagship Team)

• Constructors’ Championships: 6
• Drivers’ Championships: 8
• Races: 417
• Wins: 130
• Podiums: 233
• Pole Positions: 111
• Fastest Laps: 102

Toro Rosso / AlphaTauri / VCARB

• Toro Rosso: 268 races, 1 win, 3 podiums
• AlphaTauri: 83 races, 1 win, 2 podiums
• Visa Cash App RB: 48 races, 1 podium

Red Bull Junior Team: A Talent Factory

One of Marko’s greatest achievements is the Red Bull Junior Team, which produced 20 Formula 1 drivers and 8 Drivers’ Championships. Alumni include:

• Sebastian Vettel
• Max Verstappen
• Carlos Sainz
• Daniel Ricciardo
• Pierre Gasly
• Alex Albon
• Yuki Tsunoda
• Liam Lawson
• Isack Hadjar
• And many more rising stars

In total, Junior Team graduates have achieved:

• 137 F1 wins
• 321 podiums

A Lasting Legacy

Red Bull expressed deep gratitude to Marko for his decades of leadership and commitment — qualities that helped redefine the team’s culture and its meteoric rise to success.

“Helmut Marko will be deeply missed, both personally and professionally,” Mintzlaff said. “We hope he remains warmly connected to the team.”

Marko’s departure marks the end of a transformative era for Red Bull Racing — but one that will continue to shape the future of Formula 1 for years to come.