On the 9th of December, Helmut Marko announced his departure from Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team after 20 years with the Austrian team. Marko stood as one of the most senior figures in Red Bull, being directly tied to the signing and release of Drivers from all stages of the RBR driver programme.
Marko has been the man behind some legends of Formula One, including four-time champion Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, as well as equally impressive drivers like Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, and many more.
Marko’s departure from Red Bull Racing has raised questions among fans surrounding the stability within the team; recent comments by the ex-advisor have further highlighted previously rumoured conflicts. Furthermore, from the perspective of a fan of Red Bull, “the rapid changes to the team are a reason to worry,” further stating that “the loss of several key members of the dominant 2023 team is already having an impact on Verstappen and his cycle of teammates.”
The rapid changes to the team’s structure are also having a detrimental effect on the willingness of fans to support a team that views their second drivers as “expendable” and has seen so many managerial roles altered or changed in such a short period of time. Marko came out recently, explaining that since the passing of Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner of the Red Bull Corporation, there had been a power struggle for the lead of the Formula One team, something ex-team principal Christian Horner was eyeing.
he won’t make it to the end of the year
This statement by Horner, in a private conversation with Marko, gave the ex-advisor an impression of distrust. By revealing such information, Marko portrayed Horner as politically motivated within the company.
The Losses that the team has suffered since the death of Mateshcitz have left them scrounging for stability. The signing of Laurent Mekies as Horners’ replacement, as well as the departure of Marko, does breathe new life into the team. This has provided hope for fans, as they “are hopeful of a return to the dominant form of two years ago.”