A Major Personnel Shift at Red Bull Racing = Red Bull Racing is on the brink of a significant organisational change. After more than two decades with the team, Helmut Marko, long-time motorsport advisor and a central figure in shaping Red Bull’s Formula 1 identity, is widely reported to be leaving his position.

Multiple media outlets, including some sources at Red Bull close to this website, suggest that discussions regarding his departure have already taken place, even though Marko’s contract was originally set to run until the end of next season. While no formal announcement has been made, the consistency of the reports indicates that a major phase in Red Bull’s history is likely drawing to a close.

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Internal Decision: No Successor for Marko’s Role

The immediate question surrounding Marko’s exit concerns the future structure of the team’s management, and who, if anyone, might fill the influential advisor role.

For years, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has been linked with potential leadership responsibilities at Red Bull. Given his deep connection to the organisation, winning four consecutive titles with the team between 2010 and 2013, and his strong personal relationships within the Red Bull camp, speculation has often intensified whenever a senior position appeared available.

However, according to reporting from Bild, Red Bull has already made a clear internal decision: the advisor position will not be filled following Marko’s departure. Team leadership is said to believe the role is no longer necessary in its traditional form. This effectively closes the door, for now, on any possibility of Vettel stepping directly into Marko’s shoes.

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Vettel’s Interest in a Future F1 Return:

Sebastian Vettel has never entirely ruled out a return to Formula 1 in some capacity however, whether as a driver or in a leadership or developmental role. Throughout 2023 and 2024, he spoke openly about his fascination with the intellectual and strategic dimensions of the sport — particularly the treatment of young drivers, the psychology of elite competition, and the inner workings of a winning team.

Just weeks before the end of the 2025 season, Vettel reiterated these sentiments during media appearances in Brazil. While he acknowledged that a return to F1 is theoretically possible, he also stressed that he is “not in a hurry,” and that any future role would have to be the right fit at the right time. His mindset remains exploratory rather than committed.

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Marko and Vettel Set the Record Straight:

Despite the frequent rumours, both Marko and Vettel have denied that they were close to reaching an agreement about Vettel rejoining Red Bull in an official capacity. Marko stated plainly in an interview with *oe24* that the topic “is not an issue and will not be an issue.”

Vettel echoed this stance, explaining that, although he had spoken briefly with Marko, their discussions “never gained any momentum, for now”

For now, Vettel appears satisfied with life outside the high-pressure world of Formula 1. While he remains open to future challenges, there are no immediate signs that his next move will be tied to Red Bull, especially with the team choosing not to replace Marko’s advisor role.

That said, what is mentioned by officials to newspapers such as BILD when they pose such scenarios is often not the reality but merely towing of the offical line. Time will indeed tell.

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NEXT ARTICLE – Wolff identifies Verstappen’s 2026 “advantage”

Formula One is stepping into the unknown in 2026 with the biggest change in the FIA car and power unit specifications ever. Predictions in the paddock assume Mercedes will build the best new V6 turbo hybrid with its radical uplift in electrical power from 120kw to 350kw.

Yet much of this is based on the fact Mercedes dominated the last time the power units saw such a fundamental change, but a number of things have changed since then which may prove this assumption wrong.

For 2014, the PU manufacturers had an unlimited budget for th research and development with Mercedes reported outspending some of it rivals by a factor of five times. Reports surfaced that Daimler-Benz in Stuttgart underwrote a £1bn fund for the Brixworth Mercedes High Performance Powertrain division.

 

Ford now involved in all aspects of Red Bull Powertrain

For 2026, the FIA has introduced a cost cap for the power units, removing Mercedes 2014 big advantage. Further, resources are also restricted in terms of the amount of bench testing time available for the manufacturers.

Red Bull are stepping into the unknown as they become the first ever F1 customer team to build their own powertrain. Their partnership with Ford was initially focused on the American giants electrical expertise, but recently their head of motorsport admitted they had been involved in all aspects of the combustion engine as well.

Whether this is a sign of strength, or a desperate measure introduced because Red Bull were behind the eight ball is unknown. The first indication will be seen at the end of January when the teams conduct a private test in Barcelona.

However, as Honda have revealed, the power units only need to be homologated with the FIA in February and the Japanese company has indicated they will do this on the last day possible. This means the final powertrain designs may not be visible in the early tests, with the manufacturers able to collect data and potentially adapt the PU’s architecture…READ MORE