Long-serving Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko leaves F1 team

Story byHelmut Marko, head of motorsport from the Oracle Red Bull Racing team, speaks on the phone in the paddock. Hasan Bratic/dpaDPATue, December 9, 2025 at 2:55 PM UTC·2 min readRed Bull's long-serving adviser Helmut Marko is leaving after 25 years, the Formula One team said on Tuesday. The 82-year-old admitted following the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday that he would be weighing up his options during the off-season after Max Verstappen just missed out on a fifth straight title. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut talks with bosses on Monday quickened the decision."Narrowly missing out on the world championship this season has moved me deeply and made it clear to me that now is the right moment for me personally to end this very long, intense, and successful chapter," Marko said in a statement.“I wish the entire team continued success and am convinced that they will be fighting for both world championship titles again next year.”His departure is not expected to affect the future of four-time world champion Verstappen, who was close to Marko and picked the Austrian amid a power struggle which ultimately led to Christian Horner being sacked as team principal this year. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Dutchman has already confirmed he will stay with the team for 2026. Laurent Mekies took over as team boss and said on Tuesday: "It is very sad news that Helmut is leaving us."Next season, Red Bull will also have a new driver as Isack Hadjar replaces Yuki Tsunoda. He tested for the first time in a Red Bull on Tuesday as part of a tyre and young driver test which ended the on-track season. Red Bull finished the constructors' championship in third, while Verstappen missed the drivers' title by two points after a stunning second half of the season.