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Marko reflects on Red Bull\u2019s rise in Formula 1 \u2013 Dr Helmut Marko has played a central role in Red Bull Racing\u2019s Formula 1 story, and during a recent appearance on ServusTV\u2019s \u2018Sport and Talk from Hangar-7\u2019, the long-serving motorsport advisor looked back on how the team rose from outsider status to become one of the sport\u2019s dominant forces.<\/p>\n
Red Bull\u2019s achievements under Marko\u2019s guidance are considerable: 130 Grand Prix victories and eight Drivers\u2019 World Championship titles. Speaking in Salzburg, the 82-year-old recalled the early days of the project alongside Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, stressing that success was never about individual brilliance alone.<\/p>\n
Join the discussion below<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n FOLLOW TJ13 \u2934\ufe0f<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Markos\u2019 proud moments<\/p>\n \u201cThere were so many great and proud moments,\u201d Marko said. \u201cBut it was always teamwork, an incredible spirit, the so-called Red Bull spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n He emphasised that Red Bull\u2019s success came against some of the most established names in motorsport.<\/p>\n \u201cWe beat Ferrari, Mercedes, and Honda, the really big names. And coming from the provinces, we\u2019re both from Styria, to holy England. We showed what\u2019s possible when you have courage, enthusiasm, and, of course, the financial resources.\u201d<\/p>\n F1\u2019s calendar crisis: Races falling away as new promoters dry up<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Searching for Red Bull\u2019s next star driver<\/p>\n With Max Verstappen firmly established as the team\u2019s current benchmark, Marko was also asked about the longer-term future and whether Red Bull could find another generational talent to follow in the footsteps of Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.<\/p>\n Marko rejected the idea of directly replacing either driver with a copy of what came before.<\/p>\n \u201cBack then, we weren\u2019t looking for a new Sebastian Vettel, but a new winner,\u201d he explained. \u201cWe\u2019ll be looking then, too, who is the new star? You can\u2019t copy someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n He underlined that, while Vettel and Verstappen are both exceptional, their strengths extend beyond pure speed.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth Sebastian and Max are incredible drivers and have great abilities, but each has their own distinct personality,\u201d Marko said. That individuality, he argued, is something Red Bull actively encourages, rather than suppresses.<\/p>\n Parting ways with Verstappen: the heartbreaking phone call<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Red Bull Junior Program and driver individuality<\/p>\n Marko also used the opportunity to clarify Red Bull\u2019s philosophy when it comes to developing young drivers. Contrary to perceptions of a rigid system, he insisted the Junior Program prioritises individuality rather than conformity.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t do any standardised training in front of the camera in the Red Bull Junior Program,\u201d he said. \u201cThey should live out their own identity; that\u2019s how everyone grew up.\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed out that this approach has been consistent across eras.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was also the case with Sebastian and Max. With Sebastian, it then went more in the green direction. With Max, we don\u2019t know yet.\u201d For Marko, allowing drivers to grow naturally has been one of the programme\u2019s defining strengths.<\/p>\n Red Bull\u2019s recent appointment to replace Marko with Sebastian Vettel\u2019s former race engineer, \u2018Rocky\u2019, would be big boots to fill, considering Marko\u2019s track record when dealing with junior drivers.<\/p>\n The French engineer joined the team in 2006 as David Coulthard\u2019s race engineer, before moving on to work closely with Sebastian Vettel. In 2015, Rocquelin was promoted to Head of Race Engineering, a role he held until 2022. Since then, he has increasingly focused on Red Bull\u2019s junior program, working alongside Helmut Marko to develop young talent, including world champions like Vettel and Max Verstappen.<\/p>\n Dutch Grand Prix cancelled replaced with Portuguese Grand Prix<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A change in how Marko follows Formula 1<\/p>\n Looking ahead, Marko indicated that his day-to-day involvement with Formula 1 will continue to evolve. Rather than constant travel, he plans to follow much of the championship from home.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m setting up a workstation at home,\u201d he said. \u201cThen I\u2019ll see which channel I like best. ServusTV doesn\u2019t show all the races, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n The comment suggests a more selective approach to attending Grands Prix in person, reflecting both practicality and personal preference.<\/p>\n McLaren Exit: \u2018Piastri talks with rival team\u2019 says insider<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Which races Marko plans to attend in person?<\/p>\n Asked which races he might still attend on site in 2026, Marko made clear there is no fixed schedule.<\/p>\n \u201cSince I\u2019m under no obligation, I\u2019ll see how the championship unfolds,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll choose something that\u2019s not too far away, and where the hype isn\u2019t too intense.\u201d<\/p>\n He described his approach as similar to that of a regular spectator. In the Middle East, Bahrain stood out as a preferred option, while in Europe, Barcelona remains a favourite. Other races are less appealing to him in person.<\/p>\n \u201cI watch Monte Carlo on TV,\u201d Marko said, while adding with a smile that at the Austrian Grand Prix in Zeltweg, he simply needs to \u201cmake sure I\u2019m wearing sunglasses, so I can enjoy it in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n Villeneuve rejects common Verstappen theory<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The global image of Formula One is that of a runaway success as the sport continues to grow from strength to strength. Next season will see the first new circuit added since Las Vegas back in 2023, although rumours that Madrid is behind schedule continue to circulate.<\/p>\n Yesterday it was announced that Portimao in Portugal will return to the F1 schedule for a two year run in 2027\/8. Yet the pipeline once brimming with hopeful promoters brandishing unlimited cheques appears to be running somewhat dry.<\/p>\n As is often the case in modern F1, the Portuguese Grand Prix is being underwritten by the government of the country and given the exorbitant fees to host such an event, the commitment for now is for just two years.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Gaps appearing on the future F1 calendar<\/p>\n However, there are gaps appearing on the calendar and in 2027 there are currently only 23 confirmed F1 race weekends. Imola has said farewell this season, but Madrid replaces the final slot on the 2026 schedule. Barcelona loses the right to host the Spanish Grand Prix as the title for the race has been transferred to the Spanish capital.<\/p>\n The future of F1 in Barcelona is uncertain given their contract expires at the end of 2026. The promoters may be hoping for an extension to be agreed, although they\u2019ve been set the task of huge infrastructure improvements to deliver by the FIA and FOM.<\/p>\n For 2027 the number of Grand Prix weekends cold fall to as low as 21, as the historic Belgian Grand Prix begins its bi-annual rotation on the calendar. The Las Vegas Grand Prix will also be out of contract, although it is thought to be just a formality that an extension will be agreed.<\/p>\n Currently there are no big F1 projects in the pipeline and even the hugely trailed new Saudi Arabia track with its 90 metre high banked turn one has not yet broken ground. Whispers are\u2026READ MORE ON THIS STORY<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766056988_856_Google-news-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
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