Helmut Marko recently shared that Max Verstappen was disheartened by the news of Marko’s upcoming departure from the Red Bull team. Marko also expressed that Verstappen is likely to leave the team if they fail to maintain a positive and supportive environment for his success.
Marko, aged 82, will be stepping down after serving as an adviser for Red Bull for twenty years, during which he oversaw the team’s junior driver program. Marko played a pivotal role in bringing Verstappen to Red Bull, securing his commitment over other competitors like Mercedes.
The bond between Marko and Verstappen has been notably strong, with Verstappen even referring to Marko as a ‘second father’ during a period of internal discord at Red Bull last year. Marko recounted Verstappen’s emotional reaction to his departure, reminiscing about their shared successes and memories.
While Marko dismissed the idea of Verstappen leaving Red Bull following his exit, he emphasized that Verstappen’s priority is to succeed in a supportive environment. Marko highlighted that if this condition is not met, Verstappen could abruptly leave the team, underscoring the importance of maintaining a harmonious setting for the young champion.
Red Bull’s official statement regarding Marko’s decision portrayed it as voluntary, with Red Bull’s head of sporting projects expressing regret over the news. Reports suggest that tensions between Marko and Red Bull’s leadership had been mounting, fueled by incidents such as public criticisms and unauthorized signings within the team.
Despite rumors and controversies surrounding his departure, Marko firmly denied any wrongdoing, attributing the speculations to unfounded gossip. Sky recently enhanced its TV and sports bundle to include popular streaming services alongside comprehensive coverage of Formula 1 and other sporting events.