Helmut Marko could be set to take on an even bigger role at Red Bull following Christian Horner’s departure. While his official title of motorsport advisor remains unchanged, the end of his long-standing internal rivalry with Horner gives him a clearer path forward.
Marko acts as the key link between Red Bull’s Austrian ownership and the F1 team, while also overseeing the driver academy that has produced so much talent over the years.
There had been some speculation that Sebastian Vettel might eventually replace Marko, who is now 82. But for now, that move doesn’t seem likely to happen anytime soon.
With Horner joining Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley and Rob Marshall in leaving – though not by choice – Marko is one of the few remaining pillars of Red Bull’s original structure. His leadership will be under scrutiny as the team enters a new chapter, starting with the Belgian Grand Prix.
Helmut Marko urges Red Bull staff to improve their efforts
Reports suggest that Marko chose not to attend Horner’s farewell speech, staying instead at the nearby Racing Bulls factory. It may have been a deliberate move, as his presence could have drawn attention away from the event.
Along with new team boss Laurent Mekies, Marko now faces the task of bringing the team back together. There are still some within Red Bull who are unhappy with how Horner’s departure was handled, feeling it was too dismissive.
According to The Race, Marko tried to motivate staff by telling them all to work ‘10% harder’. Red Bull are currently on track for their worst constructors’ performance since 2015 when they also finished fourth.
The message reportedly didn’t land well, described as going down like ‘a lead balloon’, which speaks to the ongoing unease within the organisation.
- READ MORE: Laurent Mekies brings a new element to Red Bull ahead of Belgian GP, not seen under Christian Horner
Christian Horner could take big names with him to another F1 team
Horner is set for a £110 million payout, as he still had five years remaining on his contract. This reflects the high regard he was held in before recent issues.
According to one Italian outlet, Horner is already in discussions with Cadillac, but it’s unlikely that he’ll make a quick decision.
However, Red Bull are concerned that Horner could trigger an exodus if he joins a rival team. He has clearly built strong relationships with many colleagues, which could help him attract talent away from Milton Keynes.
Red Bull are looking to re-establish their Austrian identity now that Horner is no longer part of the organisation. He had lost support not only from Oliver Mintzlaff, but also from the Thai shareholders.
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