Helmut Marko is delighted as Red Bull surpasses Mercedes to become the dominant force in Formula 1.
Red Bull GmbH managing director Oliver Mintzlaff has given a vote of confidence to both Helmut Marko and Christian Horner, saying of Marko that a move to Mercedes would be “out of the question” for him.
Horner, despite an internal investigation being dismissed against him earlier this year, firmly believes that the team will continue to thrive under his guidance.
Red Bull MD rules out Helmut Marko Mercedes move
Despite Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull running until 2028 and his expressed desire to remain with the team, there is ongoing speculation in the media about his future. This has not stopped Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, from stating that he sees Verstappen as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton in the upcoming season.
With there being a reported clause in Verstappen’s deal that would allow him to leave Red Bull early if motorsport advisor Marko leaves, even with a potential move to Mercedes if both choose to leave together, Mintzlaff is adamant that will not occur.
“I think that’s out of the question,” Mintzlaff told German publication Bild when asked if Marko would move to Mercedes along with Verstappen.
We owe a great deal of gratitude to Helmut, as he has a strong affiliation with Red Bull.
At the age of 17, he demonstrated remarkable bravery by placing his trust in Max to handle a Formula 1 cockpit.
Despite being questioned about the ongoing situation concerning Horner as both team principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing, he remains steadfast in his support for the longstanding team leader.
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When questioned about whether the team can still achieve long-term success under Horner’s guidance, he confidently stated, “I firmly believe in that.”
He is solely focused on the success of the team and is an exceptional CEO.
After the announcement that Adrian Newey will completely depart from the team in early 2025, questions have been raised regarding Red Bull’s future. Newey had already reduced his involvement in Formula 1 operations.
In expressing gratitude to Newey for his contributions to the team, Mintzlaff also expressed confidence in the remaining staff’s ability to carry on and maintain their track record of building fast cars in the future.
He said that Adrian’s outstanding performance over the years has greatly contributed to our success in winning 13 World Championship titles.
Naturally, it is regrettable that he is departing from our midst. However, we have engaged in a genuinely equitable and considerate conversation about this matter. What he leaves behind is not solely an unparalleled legacy but also a framework that he played a significant role in constructing.
Naturally, his absence will be felt, both on a personal level and in our work. However, we remain confident in our ability to continue constructing high-speed Formula 1 cars.
The future impact of Newey’s departure on Red Bull is yet to be determined. Following his exit, McLaren has only secured one Drivers’ title, and Williams has also experienced a title drought since he left in the 1990s.
Red Bull is also venturing into the production of their own power units for the first time, coinciding with an imminent significant regulation change set for the 2026 season.
Ford has partnered with the project and has already started working on a new engine at their Milton Keynes base in preparation for the 2026 campaign.
Despite the daunting challenge, the managing director of the company remains optimistic that the team will be able to retain their position when the new cars are introduced.
“Mintzlaff stated that our aim for 2026 is to maintain our position at the pinnacle of Formula 1.”
While there is no guarantee, we have demonstrated the ability to adapt to significant rule changes unlike other teams who have been unable to catch up to us for three consecutive years.
Max has also come to the same realization, which fills me with great optimism about the future. Our preparations for 2026 did not start just recently.
Building our own engine is undeniably a significant undertaking and challenge, but we possess the utmost confidence in our ability to conquer this milestone. It represents the subsequent phase of Red Bull’s growth and progression.
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