Who is Helmut Marko? The controversial Red Bull chief and Max Verstappen ally

The success of the six-time Formula 1 constructors’ champions has been greatly influenced by Helmut Marko, who heads Red Bull’s driver development program.

Marko has served as an advisor to Red Bull’s teams, including Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB (VCARB, previously known as AlphaTauri), for a considerable period of time. He was a former racer, but a career-ending eye injury led him to retire early and dedicate his time to nurturing the future F1 talents.

This is everything you should know about Helmut Marko, the Red Bull guru.

The Legendary Racing Figure: Helmut Marko

Helmut Marko, who was born in Graz, Austria on April 27, 1943, has been a Red Bull advisor for many years and is responsible for managing the team’s driver development.

During the 1970s, Marko participated in 10 F1 grands prix but was unable to earn any points. However, he found more success in endurance racing and emerged victorious in the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans.

During the 1972 French Grand Prix, a stone flew up and hit his helmet visor, resulting in an eye injury that would ultimately lead to the Austrian’s early retirement.

Afterward, he founded his own F3 team and later shifted his focus to developing the next generation of world champion drivers as a member of the Red Bull Junior Team in 1999.

What is Helmut Marko’s Role at Red Bull?

Helmut Marko serves as a special adviser to the Red Bull team and is also responsible for overseeing driver development for both Red Bull and VCARB.

Despite the lack of clarity surrounding Marko’s specific responsibilities at the F1 giants, it is evident that he has played a significant role in developing the team’s junior program.

With seven world championships combined, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen both rose through the ranks under the guidance of Marko, alongside other notable drivers such as Carlos Sainz, Daniel Ricciardo, and Daniil Kvyat.

What is the dynamic between Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen?

Max Verstappen shares a strong bond with Helmut Marko and considers the Red Bull chief as a father figure, as the Dutchman has often expressed.

In 2021, Verstappen stated, “I have a great relationship with both Marko and team principal Christian Horner, and I view Helmut as a father figure. He is always honest and direct in his communication, which is something I appreciate.”

Verstappen has emphasized the significance of Marko remaining at Red Bull for his own future with the team. During the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, he expressed, “It is crucial that he [Marko] remains with the team,”in an interview with Sky Sports.

“I have consistently stated to everyone at Red Bull that Helmut Marko must always be a part of my team.”

The Ongoing Controversy Surrounding Marko and Sergio Perez

Marko was compelled to issue an apology when he insinuated that Sergio Perez’s ethnicity was the reason for his inconsistent performance.

Despite being geographically located in North America, specifically in Guadalajara, Mexico, Perez has emerged as one of the top drivers in the sport. This continent has also given the world renowned drivers like Ayrton Senna from Brazil and Juan Manuel Fangio from Argentina.

Marko eventually issued an apology for his remarks, stating: “I would like to express my regret for my offensive comment and want to clarify that I do not believe in making generalizations about individuals based on their country of origin, race, or ethnicity.”

“My intention was to highlight Checo [Perez]’s varying performance throughout the year, but it was incorrect to attribute this solely to his cultural background.”