Vettel to Red Bull: The implications for Verstappen – Red Bull have suffered internal wrangling within their F1 organisation following the death of drinks empire entrepreneur and team owner Didi Mateschitz. There appeared to be an internal plot to remove Christian Horner as confidential details were leaked last year over a complaint made against him by a female employee.
An internal enquiry conducted by the highest counsel in the UK exonerated the Red Bull team boss as did the subsequent appeal made the employee of the team. At the time it was suspected that Dr. Helmut Marko had collaborated the the Austrian parent companies directors to release the confidential details sent to 150 senior paddock members by email.
There was then a debate held in public over whether Marko would remain with the team going forward. His contract was eventually renewed but because he is employed by the Austrian parent company and not the F1 team the details remain confidential. However, it is believed his two year deal comes to an end come as the last rights of the 2025 campaign are performed in Abu Dhabi later this year.
Marko & Verstappen tight knit
Marko is best known for his role in supervising the Red Bull junior driver programme and even today around a third of the grid have emerged from his tutelage. Yet his other role which has developed since 2016, is that of confidant and mentor to for times world champion and Red Bull star driver, Max Verstappen.
When Marko stood suspected of leaking the enquiry details, stories emerged he was about to be suspended by Red Bull. Yet Max Verstappen came swiftly to his defence: “It’s very important that he stays within the team,” he told assembled reporters last March in China, adding “For sure it’s important he stays part of the team, also for me.”
This was the first time the prospect of Verstappen leaving Red Bull before his contract ends in 2028 was raised and a condition in his contract with Red Bull came to light. Should Marko leave Red Bull Racing, the world champion has a clause in his deal which would allow him to leave as well.
Early May this year, the long time Red Bull consultant suggested his retirement may be on the way as he discussed the matter with Osterreich newspaper. When asked whether Sebastian Vettel would be a good replacement for the 82 year old Austrian, Marko replied: “That was just an idea of mine. But it’s not ready for a decision – we’re still a long way from that. I don’t know who wants to retire me at the end of the year, but I certainly don’t plan to do that yet. As they say, he who rests, rusts.”
Marko starts Vettel replacement rumour
Almost two months later the Vettel return to Red Bull stories are building momentum and in the week before the Austrian GP the German ace fired up the rumour mill once again. Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF Vettel admitted: “There have been a few headlines recently. I still get along great with Helmut, and we’re in contact about this topic.”
Speaking to Sky during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend in Spielberg, the 82 year old appear to contradict his earlier comments and those of Vettel, by suggesting there was not one name currently in there frame to takeover the Red Bull young driver programme. “It’s not currently relevant,” he said mysteriously to F1 writers though added: “The succession plan is obviously something that is on the table,’ Marko admitted. ‘But there are no concrete names and no concrete discussions.”
The big question is what would happen if Verstappen were to leave the Red Bull organisation? Most F1 analysts appear to believe that Dr. Marko would accompany him to another team. The ever present rumours started by Mercedes that the world champion is in talks with them for next season, were exacerbated by George Russell in Austria who admitted this was true for the first time in public.
At the height of the rumours last year suggesting Dr. Marko could be suspended by the Red Bull F1 team, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff made him a job offer should Verstappen decide to join the Brackley based squad. “We’re missing our old mascot anyway,” a grinning Wolff told Austrian broadcaster ORG. “Then we’ll just take Helmut. He’s the right age. He doesn’t have a red cap [a Niki Lauda tradition], but then he’ll come to us.”
Little time to train Sebastian
Marko’s junior driver Red Bull legacy is respected by Wolff who said so at the time. “Verstappen and the young drivers all come from him, that’s his nose for the young drivers. It would definitely be a setback for the [Red Bull] team if Helmut were to leave.” Now it appears Marko is paving the way for this transition of his role to Sebastian Vettel, which if it happens swiftly, may be an indicator he has alternative plans come 2026.
Yet whilst Vettel was one of the best finds of Marko’s career the role as head of the Red Bull junior driver programme would require a period of adjustment. This surely means Marko and Verstappen will remain at Red Bull Racing into at least 2026, with even Toto Wolff admitting in Austria that a Verstappen move to Mercedes for next year had little chance of happening.
“I think when you look at the situation we have with Kimi and George, we have a perfect line-up that we very much enjoy and that we believe is the future,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1. “But, at the same time, there is a four-time world champion that needs to decide what he is going to do in the future, and that is just, as a team principal, you need to see where that is going.
“But I think I give it a very little probability that it’s going to happen,” he concluded. Add this to Kimi Antonelli showing his inadequacies again at the Red Bull Ring, and George Russell will be likely sporting a shiny new contract before the mid summer break in five weeks time.
Mercedes to release Bottas as Colapinto replacement
Less than a year after Veltteri Bottas was released by Formula One team Kick Sauber, the Finn appears to be pole position to land a seat back on the grid for 2026. Until now he has been the favourite to become Cadillac’s experienced driver with Bottas making a social media post with him admiring one of the General Motors cars.
Whilst under the Andretti banner during the application process to the FIA, the eleventh team elect suggested they would bring a US born driver into the sport. Yet the chosen son, Colton Herta from California, has failed to live up to his young gun Indycar billing as Spaniard Alex Palou is dominating the US racing series and heading towards his fourth championship this season.
Whilst the American theme remains with the team rebranded as Cadillac, for political reasons, the noises emanating from Graham Bowden – team boss – are the emphasis on the drivers may well have shifted…. READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
