Helmut Marko is formally leaving Pink Bull F1 group

Helmut Marko is leaving Pink Bull, whose academy he has run for 25 years, following the conclusion of the 2025 Formulation 1 season.

The 82-year-old Austrian’s future at Pink Bull was rumoured to be questioned within the Abu Dhabi paddock, regardless of his ongoing contract for 2026. Talks befell at Yas Marina Circuit on Monday between motorsport advisor Marko and Pink Bull’s high administration, together with sporting CEO Oliver Mintzlaff.

“I’ve been concerned in motorsport for six many years now, and the previous 20-plus years at Pink Bull have been a unprecedented and intensely profitable journey,” Marko mentioned in a Pink Bull press launch. “It has been an exquisite time that I’ve been in a position to assist form and share with so many proficient individuals. Every part we’ve got constructed and achieved collectively fills me with pleasure.

“Narrowly lacking out on the world championship this season has moved me deeply and made it clear to me that now could be the fitting second for me personally to finish this very lengthy, intense, and profitable chapter.

“I want your entire group continued success and am satisfied that they are going to be combating for each world championship titles once more subsequent yr.”

Mintzlaff added: “Helmut approached me with the want to finish his function as motorsport advisor on the finish of the yr. I deeply remorse his choice, as he has been an influential determine for greater than twenty years, and his departure marks the tip of a unprecedented period.”

Dr Helmut Marko, Pink Bull Motorsport Marketing consultant, Sebastian Vettel, Pink Bull Racing

Picture by: Patrik Lundin / Motorsport Photos

The German praised Marko’s “ardour”, “braveness to clarify choices” and “potential to identify potential”.

“After a protracted and intensive dialog, I knew that I needed to respect his needs, as I gained the impression that the timing felt proper for him to take this step,” Mintzlaff continued. “Despite the fact that his departure will depart a big hole, our respect for his choice and our gratitude for every thing he has completed for Pink Bull Racing outweigh it.”

A former F1 driver and Le Mans 24 Hours winner, earlier than sustaining a career-ending eye damage within the 1972 French Grand Prix, Marko moved on to administration when he based the RSM Marko group that competed within the DTM, German Formulation 3 and F3000.

The outfit was renamed Pink Bull Junior Workforce in 1999 earlier than turning into the model’s precise driver growth programme, which produced no fewer than 18 F1 racers below Marko’s watch – together with four-time world champions Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, although the latter was a late addition to the academy earlier than his F1 debut.

“Thanks, Helmut,” Verstappen posted on social media. “We’ve achieved every thing we ever dreamed of collectively. I’m without end grateful to your perception in me.”

Since 2005, Marko has additionally acted as an advisor to the model’s F1 actions, together with the Pink Bull group in Milton Keynes and the Faenza-based Racing Bulls outfit, which was initially christened Toro Rosso.

As Marko labored alongside former group principal Christian Horner, the primary squad gained eight drivers’ titles and 6 constructors’ crowns.

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