Helmut Marko disclosed that Max Verstappen felt saddened by the news of the veteran Austrian’s departure from Red Bull. Marko also mentioned that the four-time Formula 1 World champion would leave the team if they failed to maintain a conducive environment for his success.
After serving as an adviser to the team for two decades and overseeing their junior driver program, the 82-year-old Marko announced his decision to step down at the end of the year. Marko was instrumental in bringing Verstappen into the Red Bull family, beating out competitors like Mercedes.
The strong bond between Marko and Verstappen was evident when the latter publicly supported Marko during internal conflicts at Red Bull, even hinting at leaving the team if Marko were to depart, referring to him as a mentor and a ‘second father.’
In an interview with Austrian publication Kleine Zeitung, Marko shared Verstappen’s reaction to his departure, recalling their memorable moments together, including significant victories and championships, praising Verstappen’s growth and maturity over time.
While Marko dismissed any concerns about Verstappen leaving Red Bull following his departure, he emphasized that Verstappen values a harmonious environment for success. Marko highlighted that if Red Bull fails to provide such an atmosphere, Verstappen would not hesitate to leave the team abruptly.
Red Bull’s official statement portrayed Marko’s exit as voluntary, with the team expressing regret over his decision. However, reports suggest tensions between Marko and Red Bull’s management had been escalating, fueled by incidents like Marko’s controversial remarks and unauthorized signings to the junior program.
Despite rumors and speculations, Marko denied claims of signing drivers without proper authorization, attributing them to unfounded rumors spread by certain media outlets.
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