P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Sebastian Vettel was the first truly successful graduate of Helmut Marko’s driver programme at Red Bull.
Sebastian Vettel expressed his admiration for Helmut Marko following the announcement of Marko’s retirement from Red Bull after 20 years of overseeing drivers.
During Marko’s tenure, three drivers he promoted, including Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Max Verstappen, have gone on to win Grand Prix races.
Vettel and Verstappen, in particular, have become four-time champions, claiming a total of 124 Grand Prix victories, with the majority coming while driving for Red Bull or its feeder team, Toro Rosso.
Vettel was rumored as a potential replacement for Marko, given their close relationship and Vettel’s desire for Marko to enjoy retirement.
Vettel praised Marko as the architect of Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso’s success, highlighting Marko’s pivotal role in driver selection and strategic decision-making within the teams.
Overall, Vettel expressed well wishes for Marko’s future endeavors and credited him as the driving force behind Red Bull Racing’s accomplishments in Formula 1.
