Formula 1 without Helmut Marko? Actually unthinkable. The man from Graz has been one of the most influential faces in the premier class for decades. His future at Red Bull Racing was recently in jeopardy. Now the racing team has eliminated all questions.
As Marko told the “oe24” portal, he will remain 100 percent loyal to Formula 1 in the 2024 season. This is the result of the joint discussions with the other responsible parties that took place shortly before Christmas.
The 80-year-old said his future had been clarified “in a positive sense”. “Everything continues as planned.” Marko himself recently questioned his future and spoke of a “complex issue”. “Nothing has been decided” in this regard, he explained in an interview in mid-December.
Formula 1 remains a full-time job for Marko
Now it is clear: Marko will not just stay at Red Bull, but will continue to do his job full-time. This means: The consultant will be on site at all 24 races in the next Formula 1 season. “But that’s not stressful for me. If I said: ‘It’s crazy what’s coming to me!’, it would be difficult,” he assured, adding that he would continue to do his job with great joy and passion.
Marko said he was already looking forward to the trip to Melbourne, for example. “From Friday 11 a.m. to Sunday evening I do my job for Red Bull Racing, and I enjoy it,” he explained.
Marko: Ferrari, Mercedes and Co. “better prepared”
Marko is aware that in his role as an advisor and sought-after interview partner he may have to face one or two more critical questions next season, because he doesn’t believe in a continuation of a season like 2023 overwhelming dominance of his team.
For example, he firmly expects that Mercedes, Ferrari and Co. will “go into the season better prepared this time,” said Marko.