After two decades with the team, Helmut Marko has left Red Bull. Over his tenure, he played a key role in eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships.
The Austrian, now 82, has been with the team since their Jaguar days in 2005. Marko was instrumental in bringing both Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen into Formula 1. But his time was also defined by frequent driver changes that led to plenty of controversy over the years.
He follows Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley and Christian Horner out the door in recent times. Verstappen was ‘a little sad’ about his departure, according to Marko himself. The Dutchman had publicly supported him during last season’s tensions.
Marko reportedly faced the sack last year, but Verstappen’s contract included a clause allowing him to leave if Marko did.
That clause has now been removed, and Red Bull have stated their full support for the four-time world champion.
The Austrian’s departure represents another major change within Red Bull after an already turbulent period, accompanied by a reported significant payout from the team.
Helmut Marko walks away from Red Bull with £8.7m payout, while Christian Horner left with £80m
Marko was under contract in Milton Keynes through 2026. However, according to a report from Bild, Red Bull were already considering whether it was time for a complete reset following the dismissal of Horner.
Getting wind of these conversations, Marko decided to step ahead of them and agreed to a severance deal with Red Bull. The report mentions that he will receive his full salary for the remainder of his contract, amounting to around €10m (about £8.7m).
While that is not an insignificant amount, it does not come close to the figure Horner received when he left the team earlier in September.
With a deal valid until 2030, Horner’s payout was far larger. He reportedly took home £80m and gave up an additional £30m by choosing not to take gardening leave, which would have kept him sidelined but fully paid through 2030.
The 51-year-old made this sacrifice so he could return to F1 sooner if he wished, potentially as early as summer 2026.
Red Bull’s next step: who fills the void left by Helmut Marko?
Tensions between the Austrian and Red Bull management were still evident in 2025. One incident saw him sign Alex Dunne without approval, costing the team thousands before they cancelled the contract.
The team now face a significant gap in their structure, and there is growing curiosity about who might step into his place – if anyone does at all.
Some reports point towards Oliver Mintzlaff, with suggestions that the current Red Bull director is interested in taking on a bigger role within the organisation by filling Marko’s position.
Despite persistent rumours suggesting a return to F1 for Sebastian Vettel to take over Marko’s position, Red Bull have dismissed that possibility.
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