Max Verstappen says the Red Bull Formula 1 team feels \u201ca little bit different\u201d without Helmut Marko\u2019s presence in the garage.<\/p>\n
Marko left Red Bull <\/a>at the end of the 2025 F1 season, having been an integral part of the team for 20 years in the role of motorsport advisor.<\/p>\n The 82-year-old Austrian was a key ally of Verstappen <\/a>and was instrumental in overseeing the Dutchman\u2019s development as he rose through the junior ranks and made his F1 debut with Red Bull\u2019s sister team Toro Rosso in 2015.<\/p>\n Verstappen went on to claim four successive world championships with Red Bull between 2021-2024 while Marko was part of the team.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe a few less Austrian-sided jokes from Helmut!\u201d Verstappen told media including Crash.net when asked what was different with the long-serving Marko no longer part of Red Bull\u2019s set-up.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n \u201cBut I am still in touch with him anyways. Maybe not so much about details on the car, but just life.<\/p>\n \u201cI shared so many moments with him, so of course it will feel a little bit different in the garage, but you also have to just look ahead and think about performance.<\/p>\n \u201cBut like I said, a great relationship and we stay in touch anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n Marko\u2019s departure from Red Bull was once of several major changes the team went through in 2025, with former team principal and CEO Christian Horner sacked following the British Grand Prix.<\/p>\n