Here is all you need to know about Helmut Marko a senior advisor at Red Bull, his age, career, bio and net worth
An internal inquiry into the situation surrounding team principal Christian Horner has resulted in Marko facing disciplinary action.
Who is Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko, bio, age, wife, role, racing career and net worth in 2024
Marko was going to be suspended, a source close to Red Bull informed BBC Sport. It’s possible that Christian Horner’s investigation’s chat leaks were leaked by Red Bull top advisor Marko. Marko replied to the Austrian broadcaster ORF:
“I’ll put it this way, it’s difficult to judge or let’s put it this way, ultimately, I’ll decide for myself what I do. The theoretical possibility always exists.”
Max Verstappen chating with *BOTH* Christian Horner and Helmut Marko.
Relationship between RB bosses looks better than some media & Twitter experts are trying to tell you. #SaudiaArabianGP pic.twitter.com/Ic3D1UOtfn
— Maxx | F1newsletter.com (@F1_Newsletter) March 9, 2024
While this is all going on, fans are curious to know who Helmut Marko is. Here is all you need to know about him.
Who is Helmut Marko?
Helmut Marko is a former professional racer who currently serves as the director of Red Bull’s Formula One teams and oversees the company’s driver development programme. The 80-year-old was born on April 27, 1943 in Graz, Austria.
Marko has long had a role overseeing the two F1 teams owned by Red Bull on behalf of the parent company, with a particular focus on developing up-and-coming drivers such as Verstappen, who made his F1 debut at the age of 17.
Renowned as the senior advisor at Red Bull GmbH, Dr. Helmut Marko’s tenure with the team dates back to 1990 and oversaw the Red Bull Junior Team, shaping the careers of F1 stars like Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz, Daniel Ricciardo, and Alex Albon.
Helmut Marko’s career
from 1999, Helmut Marko has been in charge of Red Bull’s driver development programme, which has guided drivers into Formula One, including Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz Jr., Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastian Vettel, and Pierre Gasly.
He has served as an advisor to Red Bull GmbH’s Formula One teams since 2005, including Red Bull Racing (2005–present), Scuderia Toro Rosso (2006–2019), Scuderia AlphaTauri (2020–2023), and RB Formula One Team (2024).
In 1971 and 1972, Marko participated in ten Formula One Grands Prix, among other race series, however he did not earn any points for the World Championship.
During the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans, he and Gijs van Lennep drove a Martini-Porsche 917K to victory. He enjoyed greater success in endurance racing. They broke the distance record in that year, which stood until the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours (5,335.313 km, at an average speed of 222.304 km/h; modifications to the course decreased the average speed).
In the 1972 race, he set fastest lap times across the 72-kilometer Sicilian mountain circuit at the Targa Florio. In just two laps, he was able to overtake the leader by more than two minutes, finishing second by just 17 seconds.
Marko’s racing career came to an end a few weeks later when Ronnie Peterson’s March threw up a stone that penetrated Marko’s helmet visor, permanently blinding his left eye.
Prior to founding and managing RSM Marko, a Formula 3 and Formula 3000 racing team that began operations in 1989 under the moniker Red Bull Junior Team, he worked as manager for Austrian racers Gerhard Berger and Karl Wendlinger for a number of years.
Helmut Marko’s family
There is not much information about Helmut Marko’s personal life. He is married to his wife Daranee and is the father of two daughters named Sonja Grassberger and Ann Maria Marko.
Owing to his racing career, his role at Red Bull, and having dedicated his life to motorsport, Marko is estimated to have a net worth of $1.5-2 million.