Red Bull officially confirms Helmut Marko's departure, Oliver Mintzlaff expresses 'deep regret' over decision

Red Bull Racing has now officially confirmed that senior advisor Helmut Marko will leave the outfit after 20 years with the team. Oliver Mintzlaff has said that he "deeply regrets" Marko’s decision to step away and described his departure as the end of an era.

Speculation around Marko’s future intensified after the season finale at the Abu Dhabi GP, where the Austrian admitted that his position heading into 2026 was uncertain.

Red Bull has now confirmed that Marko will depart at the end of 2025, with the 82-year-old believing it is the right moment to move on after an intense title fight that saw Max Verstappen narrowly miss out on the driver's crown.

Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and New Investments and the de facto head of its motorsport program, expressed regret at the decision, suggesting it was entirely Marko’s call to walk away.

"Helmut approached me with the wish to end his role as motorsport advisor at the end of the year. I deeply regret his decision, as he has been an influential figure for more than two decades, and his departure marks the end of an extraordinary era," said Mintzlaff [via Motorsportweek].

"After a long and intensive conversation, I knew that I had to respect his wishes, as I gained the impression that the timing felt right for him to take this step," he added.

Mintzlaff also added that Marko’s departure will leave a significant gap in the team, though he respects the veteran's wishes.

Helmut Marko joined the Milton Keynes outfit for its F1 debut in 2005, taking on the role of senior advisor while also leading the highly successful Red Bull junior academy. Across his two decades with them, the team secured 8 drivers' titles and 6 constructors' titles.

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Helmut Marko expands on his decision to leave Red Bull at the end of 2025

Helmut Marko at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 - Source: Getty

Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko said he believes it is now the right time to step away from the role as he leaves the team after two decades. He added that missing out on the driver's title with Max Verstappen in such a close battle "moved him deeply."

Marko explained that he had been through an extremely successful journey with the team over the past 20 years and was proud of their achievements and the people he had worked with. He then outlined his decision, saying:

"Narrowly missing out on the World Championship this season has moved me deeply and made it clear to me that now is the right moment for me personally to end this very long, intense, and successful chapter."

Marko then wished the Red Bull F1 team all the best for the coming years before stating that he believes the outfit will compete for both world championships in the 2026 season.

Marko joins Christian Horner as the second high-profile personality to leave the Austrian team in 2025.