Helmut Marko shared that Max Verstappen was disheartened by the news of the veteran Austrian’s upcoming departure from the Red Bull team. Marko also suggested that the four-time Formula 1 World champion may leave as well if the team fails to maintain a conducive environment for his success.
At 82 years old, Marko is stepping down after twenty years as an adviser and head of the team’s junior driver program. It was Marko who recruited Verstappen to Red Bull, beating out competition from Mercedes.
Verstappen and Marko shared a strong bond, with Verstappen publicly supporting Marko during internal team turmoil last year, even hinting at leaving if Marko left, referring to him as a ‘second father.’
In an interview, Marko revealed that Verstappen was somewhat saddened by his departure, reminiscing about their shared achievements and moments. Marko dismissed concerns about Verstappen leaving Red Bull, stating that the Dutch driver has accepted his decision for now.
Marko emphasized that Red Bull must provide a harmonious environment for Verstappen’s success, as the driver values not only winning but also a positive team atmosphere. Marko highlighted that if this requirement is not met, Verstappen could leave suddenly.
While Red Bull portrayed Marko’s departure as voluntary in an official statement, reports suggest tensions had been rising between Marko and the team’s leadership. Allegations include Marko’s controversial remarks causing online backlash and unauthorized signings to the junior program.
Marko refuted these claims as baseless rumors, attributing them to sensationalism in the media. Formula 1 enthusiasts can now enjoy live coverage of all sessions with Sky’s new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, offering substantial savings and additional benefits like access to Netflix and Discovery+.