Ex-driver Vettel hails Marko as 'architect' of Red Bull F1 success
Sebastian Vettel, who won the first four Formula One drivers’ world titles for Red Bull, has praised Helmut Marko who has stepped down as adviser of the team after two decades.
“Without him, this team’s success story would have been inconceivable,” Vettel said in the wake of Marko’s resignation early in the week.
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“Helmut is the architect of Red Bull’s success in Formula One. Not only has he demonstrated a knack for selecting drivers, but he has also shaped key decisions regarding team structure, personnel and long-term strategy.”
Red Bull started as a team in 2005 and Germany’s Vettel won four straight titles 2010-2013. Dutchman Max Verstappen has also earned four titls for the team 2021-2024, and Red Bull have six consutructors’ crowns.
Vettel and Verstappen rose from Red Bull’s young driver programme which was overseen by the now 82-year-old Marko.
Vettel, who retired from racing in 2022, said he was “as surpeised as everyone else when he heard about Helmut’s decision. I wish him all the best on his future path from the bottom of my heart.”
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Red Bull have said they will not instal a successor for Marko but the Austrian has in the past spoken favourably of Vettel who has been mentioned as a potential successor.
“My ideas are not relevant. There are many names but no decisions yet,” Marko recently said.