After it was officially announced that Helmut Marko would be leaving the Red Bull Formula 1 racing team at the end of the year, speculation that Sebastian Vettel could “inherit” him at the Bulls has increased again.
It is likely that Marko’s current position will not be filled. But his departure will still free up certain areas of responsibility, some of which Vettel, for example, could take on.
“I don’t think so,” says Marko in an interview with “oe24” and explains: “He doesn’t have enough supporters. He would have a hard time, especially with his – let’s say – anti-mobility attitude.”
Vettel has been actively promoting the issue of sustainability for years and, for example, spoke out in favor of a speed limit on German motorways. He has also come out as a Green Party voter several times.
With his statements, Marko suggests that Vettel’s views could cause problems with a possible role in the Formula 1 environment at Red Bull. In any case, Marko had already declared in the summer that Vettel was “not an issue” for Red Bull.
Apparently nothing has changed even after Marko’s official farewell. Just a few weeks ago, Vettel himself revealed on Sky that talks with Marko about a possible role at Red Bull had “led to nothing”.
That’s why Helmut Marko won’t become a TV expert
Incidentally, the Austrian has no interest in remaining with Formula 1 fans next year, for example in a role as a TV expert. “No, I’m not interested in that,” said Marko.
“Otherwise I’ll feel like Franz Tost, the poor man who was so scolded,” he emphasizes. Tost was a co-commentator for “ORF” at the Formula 1 race in Brazil this year, but subsequently received a lot of criticism on social media for a statement he made.
The “ORF” later even published an official statement apologizing for Tost’s words. Marko has no desire for similar trouble. “I’m not retired,” the 82-year-old also clarifies.
He emphasizes that he also has “enough projects” outside of Formula 1 and announces: “I don’t plan on taking my foot off the gas and becoming stupid.”