Marko's departure raises concerns about an F1 'character crisis'.

      "Eight out of the ten team leaders are former engineers."

      The exit of Dr. Helmut Marko is viewed by commentators as a concern that extends beyond Red Bull, with fears that Formula 1 is losing some of its last notable personalities. Recent filings from UK companies indicate that Marko, aged 82, has been removed as a director from several Red Bull companies, including Red Bull Racing Limited, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, and Red Bull Powertrains, marking his complete departure from the organization after two decades.

      In an article for Bild, Michel Milewski suggests that Marko’s exit could present a broader issue for the sport. "What is meant to be a (partial) solution for Red Bull in its quest to regain dominance in Formula 1 risks becoming a problem for the racing series itself," he states. "It is heading directly towards a character crisis."

      Milewski connects Marko’s departure with that of Christian Horner, pointing out that two of the sport's most contentious and divisive figures have left in quick succession. "The only remaining character among the team principals is Toto Wolff," he asserts. "Eight out of the ten team leaders are former engineers. They think in black and white, not in shades of grey. So who will Wolff challenge in front of Netflix and other streaming service cameras? The answer is - no one."

      Milewski expresses concern that the issue goes beyond just the management level. "Formula 1 needs to elevate its character presence," he warns, mentioning that with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso approaching the end of their careers and Max Verstappen often considering retirement, the sport is at risk of losing its most iconic figures.

      Similar sentiments have been echoed by former Russian F1 commentator Alexey Popov, who points out that contemporary Formula 1 lacks the vibrant personalities that once attracted fans to the sport. "Personalities are diminishing," Popov remarked. "I'm not implying that modest engineers lack personality, but they aren't showmen."

      He contrasted the current paddock with that of previous eras. "Peter Sauber, despite being a reserved Swiss, was still a character - a man with a cigar and few words. Or the flamboyant Eddie Jordan, the bland Ron Dennis, or the meticulous Jean Todt," Popov recalled. "These figures made people fall in love with Formula 1."