Formula 1
Helmut Marko’s Red Bull Exit Fueled by ‘Recent Antics’ as Power Struggle Reaches Breaking Point
Red Bull Racing is bracing for another seismic shift as Helmut Marko, one of the most influential figures in the team’s history, is reportedly being pushed out after a series of controversial decisions and internal clashes. According to multiple reports, Marko has already been informed his services are no longer required, ending a 20-year partnership that shaped Red Bull’s rise from newcomer to Formula 1 juggernaut.
The 82-year-old Austrian had hinted at uncertainty following the Abu Dhabi season finale, saying he would “sleep over” his future. But behind the scenes, the decision had already been made. Sources indicate Helmut Marko will not be part of Red Bull’s operations going into 2026 — despite one year still remaining on his contract.
Secret Driver Signings Spark Internal Backlash
The first major fault line appeared over Helmut Marko’s unilateral signing of rising talents Arvid Lindblad and Alex Dunne. Lindblad’s 2026 F1 promotion aligned poorly with Red Bull management’s strategy — but Alex Dunne’s signing was the actual flashpoint.
Reports from De Limburger and PlanetF1 state that Red Bull shareholders, team boss Laurent Mekies, and CEO Oliver Mintzlaff had already ruled Alex Dunne out of the junior programme. Helmut Marko allegedly moved ahead anyway, securing the Irish driver without informing anyone.
The fallout was immediate. Red Bull was forced to terminate the contract, triggering a six-figure penalty fee — money now expected to fund Alex Dunne’s 2026 F2 campaign with Rodin. Internally, this was labelled the latest example of Marko’s “solo operator” approach, one that senior leadership is no longer willing to tolerate.
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Controversial Comments Add Fuel to the Fire
Helmut Marko’s reputation for speaking freely to the media — once tolerated under Christian Horner’s leadership — became a liability under the new corporate-driven structure. The final straw was his insinuation that 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli deliberately let Lando Norris through during a tense title battle.
The comments unleashed a storm of online abuse, including death threats directed at Kimi Antonelli. Red Bull management demanded that Helmut Marko issue an apology, with Laurent Mekies reportedly personally overseeing the statement.
This incident, combined with earlier behavioural concerns raised by Thai Red Bull shareholders, cemented the decision to part ways.
The End of an Era — And a New Red Bull Power Structure
Marko was the last remaining pillar of the old Red Bull hierarchy built under the late Dietrich Mateschitz. Following the exits of Jonathan Wheatley, Adrian Newey, and Christian Horner, his removal completes a sweeping restructuring aimed at centralising control under Laurent Mekies and Oliver Mintzlaff
Even Max Verstappen — once Marko’s strongest defender — is now said to support the new leadership trio of Mekies, Mintzlaff, and Ahmet Mercan.
If confirmed, Helmut Marko’s departure marks the end of one of F1’s most influential — and polarising — tenures. It signals not just a personnel change but a fundamental shift in how Red Bull intends to run its racing empire heading into the 2026 regulation era.
