Marko labels Aston switch rumors as 'simply ridiculous.'

      After Red Bull announced that Dr. Helmut Marko will be stepping down as motorsport advisor, the 82-year-old spoke with Kleine Zeitung to share, in his own words, the reasons behind the conclusion of his two-decade tenure. The team’s official statement presented the departure as Marko's personal choice rather than a dismissal, with Oliver Mintzlaff stating, "Helmut approached me expressing his desire to conclude his role as motorsport advisor at the end of the year. I am truly saddened by his decision—his exit signifies the conclusion of an extraordinary era."

      Marko noted that the pivotal moment occurred when Max Verstappen narrowly lost the title on Sunday. "This season, I was initially the only one, along with Gianpiero Lambiase, who still had faith within the team," the Austrian remarked. "We were deeply engaged and committed, so it was a massive disappointment when things didn’t go our way. This disappointment influenced my decision that it was the right time to step down."

      Despite the significance of the split, Marko stated he departs with "good intentions." "I’m leaving on the best of terms with Red Bull and will definitely be seen at the racetrack occasionally," he said. "I believe the team is in a strong position, and I’m not leaving behind any chaos. Everything is in order, and I’m confident we’ll improve in certain areas."

      Red Bull has already announced that the position will not be filled, though Marko did not provide details about future organizational changes, even with Sebastian Vettel’s name still being mentioned. "Red Bull needs to make that decision, so I can’t comment on it," Marko explained. "I only announced my decision on Monday in Dubai. They are certainly not in a rush—they need to find the best possible solutions."

      As anticipated, Verstappen—whom Marko discovered in his junior days—was emotional about the change. "I would say he was a bit saddened by it," Marko shared. "We were reminiscing about the incredible times we had together." Later, the Dutch driver posted a tribute on Instagram, emphasizing that they had "achieved everything we ever dreamed of together."

      Marko also reassured that Verstappen’s future at Red Bull is not suddenly at risk. "No," he firmly stated. "Max doesn’t just strive for success; he wants to thrive in a harmonious environment. If that changes, he’ll leave immediately. But he’s far too young to consider that now." He also dismissed speculation that he had angered Red Bull by acting independently or reaching out to rival teams like Aston Martin about a potential reunion with Verstappen and Adrian Newey in the future. "No. I’m not considering any other team," Marko asserted. "These are just ridiculous rumors, mainly circulated by the British press."

      According to Bild, Marko is set to receive a complete payout for his 2026 contract, with the severance package estimated at EUR 10 million. The newspaper referred to it as a "golden handshake," recognizing his foundational contributions to the team and his role in discovering both Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen. Regarding the future of Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, sources now indicate that 'GP' is expected to remain in his position.