P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Real reason behind Marko’s Red Bull departure
Former F1 star Ralf Schumacher suggests that Helmut Marko departed from Red Bull due to Max Verstappen no longer needing his guidance as a young protege after narrowly missing out on his fifth world title in the 2025 season. Schumacher believes Marko left at the right time, with Verstappen excelling independently in driving performance and no longer requiring Marko’s support. Marko informed Verstappen of his departure over a phone call, expressing his admiration for their achievements and the close bond they had built over the years.
Marko, who recently retired from his long-held position as motorsport advisor for Red Bull, oversaw the development of talents like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Following Verstappen’s near miss on a fifth world title, Marko decided it was the right time to bow out of his role. Despite having a contract, Marko chose to step down, feeling that Verstappen’s success made his role unnecessary and citing challenges of flying worldwide at his age. He informed Verstappen of his decision over a phone call due to logistical issues that prevented a face-to-face conversation, reflecting on their close relationship and the emotional moment the announcement brought.
