P1racenews AI automatic summary:
For a change, Helmut Marko is experiencing F1 pre-season testing from the comfort of his own home!
Former Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has ruled out an immediate return to Formula 1 following his exit from the Austrian outfit, but stays updated daily. Marko announced his departure from Red Bull after the 2025 campaign, ending a long tenure with the team. He was instrumental in establishing Red Bull’s successful junior programme, responsible for nurturing talents like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Marko shared a close bond with Verstappen, who had even considered leaving Red Bull if Marko was no longer there. Despite being out of the paddock, Marko closely follows F1 and is keeping an eye on the new power unit regulations, foreseeing an early advantage for Mercedes. As Red Bull transitions to becoming a powertrain supplier, Marko emphasizes the importance of maintaining their engine development to keep Verstappen satisfied. While not planning an immediate return to the racing scene, Marko remains actively engaged and tuned in to the developments in F1, including getting up early to watch races even from Australia.
