Marko left Red Bull at the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season after more than 20 years as motorsport adviser.
During his time with the team, Red Bull became a dominant force in the sport, winning six constructors’ titles and producing multiple world champions through its junior programme, including Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
However, Marko did not depart quietly. In public comments following his exit, the 82-year-old openly criticised the direction of the team and made pointed remarks about former team principal Christian Horner, who was dismissed shortly after the British Grand Prix in July.
Red Bull GmbH managing director Oliver Mintzlaff moved quickly to distance the company from those statements. Speaking to De Telegraaf, Mintzlaff said: “Those words about Christian are Helmut’s own.”
Mintzlaff made clear that Horner’s contribution to Red Bull should not be forgotten. “I can’t say anything negative about Christian,” he said. “Simply because he meant a lot to Red Bull.”
He explained that the decision to remove Horner was driven by performance and leadership considerations rather than personal issues. “There always comes a time when things aren’t going well, and then, as a company, you have to make a decision,” Mintzlaff said. “Are you going to give someone more time, or is it time for a new leader? We felt it was time for a change.”
Marko had claimed that Red Bull had changed significantly in recent years and suggested that the changes were not positive. Mintzlaff openly disagreed with that assessment.
“I disagree with Helmut’s statements,” he said. “Yes, it’s logical that things change within an organisation. Perhaps Dr Marko has changed over the years as well.”
Mintzlaff also pointed to the longevity of Red Bull’s leadership as considered remarkable in elite sport. “I think it’s quite normal that not everything is the same as it was five years ago,” he said. “Christian and Helmut have worked together wonderfully for many years, since the start in 2005.”
He added: “Give me a few examples of other major sports organisations where the leadership team remains the same for so long. You could look at it very negatively that they’re both gone now, but I would say it’s unique that they’ve been here together for so long and have achieved so much.”
Mintzlaff concluded by stressing that change was sometimes essential. “Sometimes you just need a change to shake things up,” he said, as Red Bull continue to reshape their Formula 1 operation heading into a new era.
