“We still have contact more often” says Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko after being quizzed about the prospect that Sebastian Vettel might return to Red Bull. For the Red Bull senior boss, rumour has it retirement could be close and the former F1 champion might be in line to replace the good doctor.
For a few days now, rumours have been circulating in the Formula 1 world that Sebastian Vettel might soon return to Red Bull and take over the post of consultant Dr Helmut Marko. Now, for the first time, the Austrian has commented on the rumours himself.
Will Sebastian Vettel follow in the footsteps of Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko? According to Sky Sports pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz, this is a distinct possibility. He believes that Seb will be back at the pinnacle of the sport in a new role within the foreseeable future.
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Last year, at the age of 35, he raced his final GP at Yas Marina after 16 years in F1. He had won four world titles and it had been quite a career, and one that had not followed a straightforward path, especially for a man of such an astute and reflective nature as he was most famous for in his latter days.
So, amidst an outpouring of genuine affection and a sense of sadness at his departure from his peers on the grid, here was a man calling time on his career. A man who had once angered as many as he had endeared.
Vettel, often considered an arrogant and villainous driver, won those titles with Red Bull between 2010-2013. Nicknamed “Finger Boy” for his triumphant finger wag after victory and often ruthless, selfish, win-at-all-costs attitude, he was infamous for disobeying team orders in the infamous ‘multi-21’ incident with Mark Webber, so determined was he to win.
Vettel, often considered an arrogant and villainous driver, won those titles with Red Bull between 2010-2013. Nicknamed “Finger Boy” for his triumphant finger wag after victory and often ruthless, selfish, win-at-all-costs attitude, he was infamous for disobeying team orders in the infamous 21-race incident with Mark Webber, so determined was he to win.
Yet every driver in Abu Dhabi, without exception, praised Vettel. Two hundred members of the F1 paddock, from teams, media and F1, joined Vettel on the track at Yas Marina on Saturday night, their small way of saying “Thank you Seb”, as their shirts read.
After debuting in 2007 and dominating F1 to become its youngest ever world champion in 2010, he has grown into a mature, well-rounded individual.
For many fans, few would say they wouldn’t like to see Sebastian Vettel return to F1, and perhaps their wish will come true sooner rather than later.
Vettel back at Red Bull?
Sebastian Vettel could be back in F1 this year, according to Kravitz:
“But it won’t be as a driver.”
According to Formula 1 Sky Sports pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz, a major change of personnel could still take place in the course of this season. The journalist had publicly put forward such thoughts last week that Kravitz believes the 35-year-old could return to the sport in an advisory role – possibly with his former employers at Red Bull.. But Marko now set the rumours straight.
Marko talks openly about Vettel return
“That is really a bit premature. My next goal is the third world championship title with Max Verstappen. That is my motivation!”, the Austrian said in an interview with the Swiss newspaper Blick.
Max Verstappen certainly believes he can become back-to-back world champions if given a competitive Red Bull for the 2023 season, and with three races gone in the season, it appears Red Bull’s car is way ahead of the entire grid in terms of performance.
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Meeting scheduled at Red Bull
However, the speculations of the overly relaxed Sky Sports pitlane reporter who likes to wear shorts and sandals a lot, cannot be completely dismissed. As Blick further reports, there is speculation behind closed doors about far-reaching changes at Red Bull.
A possible departure of Helmut Marko was also mentioned and certainly reported on by this website just a few weeks ago. Just like the dismissal of AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost.
With the passing of former Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz and the appointment of his replacement Oliver Mintzlaff, well known for his dislike of motorsport, Marko revealed to Red Bull’s own Speedweek publication, he has only “met with him twice so far…
“How far he will listen to our ideas, we will see,” says Marko.
Marko’s usual telephone report to the previous Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz immediately after the race is a thing of the past.
“It is no longer the case that I report by phone after every practice and race. The direct, personal and friendly relationship is no longer there. Didi was a visionary, had emotions.
“I don’t see that anymore.” he told Speedweek
“I am a free person. I can quit at any time if I am no longer happy. Let’s see how the future turns out.”
Marko confides further on Vettel
“I can only say that I will be at Red Bull in Salzburg on Wednesday. And there these topics are not on the agenda.” says Marko in the Blick article.
Regardless of his own future, Marko cannot imagine that Vettel will soon take up his legacy at the Red Bull.
“We still have contact more often. Seb is still in the self-discovery phase at the moment. I don’t think he wants to travel to every race again and work more. With much less pay!” said the Austrian.
Marko himself sees himself continuing to act as a representative of the currently most successful Formula 1 team.
“If you can accompany the best driver with Verstappen, a resignation is not an issue. With another driver pairing, my situation would certainly be different,” the 80-year-old stressed.
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