Helmut Marko has shared that Max Verstappen was disheartened by the news of the long-serving Austrian’s impending departure from Red Bull. Marko also indicated that the four-time Formula 1 World champion would potentially leave the team if they fail to uphold a supportive and successful environment for him.
After a remarkable two-decade tenure as an adviser and leader of Red Bull’s junior driver program, the 82-year-old Marko will be stepping down at the end of the current year. Marko played a pivotal role in bringing Verstappen into the Red Bull family, outmaneuvering competitors like Mercedes for the young talent’s signature.
The close bond between Marko and Verstappen was evident during internal conflicts at Red Bull last year, with Verstappen publicly defending Marko and referring to him as a ‘second father’. In an interview with Austrian publication Kleine Zeitung, Marko reminisced on their shared successes and milestones, highlighting Verstappen’s growth and achievements.
Despite earlier indications that Verstappen might consider leaving Red Bull if Marko departed, Marko confirmed that the Dutch driver has accepted his decision. Marko stressed that Verstappen’s priority is to succeed in a harmonious environment, emphasizing that any disruption to this balance could prompt him to leave abruptly.
While Red Bull portrayed Marko’s departure as voluntary, reports suggest underlying tensions between Marko and the team’s leadership had been brewing for some time. Allegations of unauthorized actions by Marko, including signing a junior driver without proper authorization, have surfaced, leading to compensation payouts and internal discord.
Marko has vehemently denied these claims, dismissing them as baseless rumors primarily propagated by certain media outlets. Despite the internal challenges, Marko remains confident in Verstappen’s commitment to the team, assuring fans that the world champion’s future with Red Bull is secure for now.
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