Red Bull Racing: Helmut Marko Steps Down After a Defining 20-Year Legacy

-Helmut Marko to leave Red Bull after 2025, ending a two-decade F1 tenure

-Red Bull’s junior programme produced 20 F1 drivers under Marko’s oversight

-The team reshapes its future direction as it enters the next regulation era with an in-house powertrain

Helmut Marko will step down as Red Bull’s motorsport advisor at the end of the 2025 F1 season, ending a long run that shaped the team’s journey from its first days on the grid. Red Bull said Marko initiated the move after a season in which the team missed the drivers’ title. His exit comes during internal reviews and follows leadership changes that began in 2022. Over two decades, Marko helped guide Red Bull’s approach across its two teams, managing driver development, supporting technical direction, and taking part in decisions on power units and long-term planning as Formula 1 went through major rule changes.

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Marko joined Red Bull in 2005 when the company entered F1 by taking over Jaguar Racing. He worked on the formation of Red Bull Racing and supported its sister team, first called Toro Rosso and later AlphaTauri, RB and Racing Bulls. Under his oversight, Red Bull Racing won six constructors’ titles and eight drivers’ championships. The Red Bull Junior Team also grew, producing 20 Formula 1 drivers, including world champions Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

F1: Marko’s Impact on Red Bull's Performance

During Marko’s time, Red Bull Racing started 417 races and recorded 130 wins, 233 podiums, 111 pole positions, and 102 fastest laps. The second team added one win and three podiums as Toro Rosso, plus one more win and multiple podiums after its rebranding. Across both teams, Red Bull has entered 816 races and achieved 132 wins, 258 podiums, and 106 fastest laps.

Red Bull worked with several engine suppliers through this period. The team ran Cosworth power in 2005, Ferrari engines in 2006, Renault units from 2007 to 2018, and Honda from 2019 to 2025. Marko influenced choices during each phase.

F1: Changes in Red Bull's Management

Internal changes followed after the death of company co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022, leading to new oversight and rising tension. Marko faced disputes involving comments on Sergio Perez in 2023, a failed removal attempt in 2024, and later disagreements over junior driver selections, including issues linked to Kimi Antonelli.

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Marko's exit adds to senior departures in 2025, including Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, and Jonathan Wheatley. Verstappen, under contract until 2028, backed Marko and noted his importance to the team.