Ralf Schumacher has a crucial piece of advice for the dominant Red Bull team: Keep Dr. Helmut Marko in the game! Amid swirling rumors of a power struggle between team boss Christian Horner and the veteran Red Bull consultant, triggered by the passing late last year of Dietrich Mateschitz, Marko’s position has been a topic of much speculation.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s ace driver and Marko’s protege, made his stance clear at the end of November, asserting, “I will not let him fall.” Ralf Schumacher, echoing this sentiment, told formel1.de, “Red Bull certainly still needs Helmut Marko. I can also imagine that Verstappen will not allow Marko to leave. He has already been very clear about that. As long as he drives there, not much will change.”
While acknowledging that Marko’s tenure might eventually conclude, possibly aligned with his contract expiration in late 2024, Schumacher – a former grand prix winner – expresses admiration for Marko’s enduring presence in F1: “Helmut has been walking around in this world for a long time. At some point, he will also start asking himself some questions. I’m actually surprised that he’s still so active. That deserves nothing but respect, especially because he has already meant so much to Red Bull.”
Marko is renowned for his role in Red Bull’s junior driver program, which has cultivated talents like Verstappen, Vettel, Ricciardo, and Sainz, albeit not without controversy. Schumacher acknowledges Marko’s occasionally harsh approach but defends it, saying, “Of course, Helmut can be quite harsh sometimes, but when you invest money in someone, you can expect something out of it. So it might also be a good thing, to deal with the young guys the way it used to be. After all, it is performance alone that counts in Formula 1. I can certainly see a future for Marko in that.”
Verstappen himself values Marko’s straightforward style, resonating with his no-nonsense approach. “That’s how I’ve approached my entire career,” Verstappen told motorsport-magazin.com. “If it’s bad, it’s bad, and if it’s good, it’s good. There’s nothing in between.” He humorously admits to drawing the line at early morning calls from Marko, preferring to return them later in the day, suggesting a mutual understanding and respect between the two.
