According to ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher, Red Bull has already found a successor for long-time chief advisor Helmut Marko – and the appointment should come with a bang.
“An era is coming to an end, especially in the youth sector,” said Schumacher on “Sky” with a view to Marko’s retirement from the Austrian-British racing team. “You can hear who’s supposed to do it. It’s also a good man who’s going to do it.”
However, Schumacher did not want to give the name of the person. “Unfortunately that’s not possible. But if it happens as planned, a small bombshell will definitely explode.” The position will be filled “positively,” added the 50-year-old.
In his job as a TV expert, Schumacher has often met Marko in recent years, who also represented Red Bull externally.
“We will miss him dearly,” said the brother of record champion Michael Schumacher. “He always spoke openly, never made a secret of anything, always stood up for himself. So I hope that we get a good replacement there too.”
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Formula 1: This is what Marko says about his successor
Red Bull and Marko communicated their separation shortly after the Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi. Compared to RTL/ntv and sport.de The 82-year-old Austrian then contradicted the rumors that Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff had pressured him to withdraw.
Marko made it clear that this was “by no means” the case. “I had a meeting with Oliver Mintzlaff in Dubai on Monday. I expressed my wish and after some discussions he accepted it because I would still have had a contract until 2026.” He and Red Bull “parted on good terms”.
Marko said he does not expect his position as chief advisor at Red Bull to be filled. “I assume it will be divided among several people.”