Ralf Schumacher teases a "bombshell" replacement for Helmut Marko at Red Bull

Ralf Schumacher has revealed that he has been made aware of Red Bull's replacement for its newly retired team advisor, Helmut Marko. The German Sky F1 analyst teased that it's going to be a "bombshell" announcement.

Marko abruptly left Red Bull after the 2025 F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, having served as director and team advisor for 20 years since its inception in 2005. The 82-year-old Austrian was responsible for establishing its driver development program when the team was founded and helped 20 drivers progress to F1.

Though certain reports claimed Red Bull wasn't planning on replacing him under a new organizational structure, Ralf Schumacher claims otherwise.

"I've heard who's almost certainly going to take over," Schumacher said via GPfans. "He's a good man to be doing it. If things go as planned, it will definitely be a bombshell."

There was speculation in the F1 paddock that Sebastian Vettel was interested in returning to Red Bull in a managerial capacity by possibly replacing Marko. The retired four-time F1 champion addressed those rumors during a visit to the 2025 Brazilian GP in October, saying:

"I don’t know. I read there was a lot of talk about it and so on. I did speak with Helmut a little bit, but it never got anywhere, never gained any traction. I think, for me, I am fairly happy where I am in life right now."

According to BILD, Helmut Marko is set to receive his full 2026 salary, i.e, a payout of 10 million euros (~$11.7 million) despite leaving the team voluntarily. It is reported that this is Red Bull's token of gratitude to the Austrian for playing a pivotal role in the team winning eight drivers' championships and six constructors' championships over the last two decades.

Helmut Marko had a "melancholic" phone conversation with Max Verstappen to inform him of Red Bull exit

Helmut Marko with Max Verstappen at the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Source: Getty

Helmut Marko finalized his decision to leave Red Bull the day after the Abu Dhabi GP last Sunday (December 7). The team had a championship dinner planned in Dubai, and the 82-year-old pulled the trigger earlier that night.

He contacted Oliver Mintzlaff, Managing Director of Red Bull GmbH, and informed him about his retirement decision. Marko shared that Red Bull co-owner Chalerm Yoovidhya was also present there, and they had an "amicable" conversation about the same. However, Helmut Marko couldn't inform Max Verstappen, with whom he shares a deep bond, in person.

"Max should have been there too," Marko said via Motorsport. "There were some problems with his flight, so he wasn't there. I called him the next day. It wasn't a normal conversation. There was a certain melancholy in the air. He said he never could have imagined that he would ever achieve such success."

Max Verstappen has turned out to be Helmut Marko's greatest driver find. The Dutchman has matched and surpassed many records held by Sebastian Vettel, who was Marko's first championship-winning talent at Red Bull.