Helmut Marko is savoring his first winter break after leaving Formula 1. The Austrian bid farewell to the Red Bull team following the Abu Dhabi GP, marking the end of his long motorsport career and the many flights he, at 82, was still set to take for the Austrian racing team until 2025. And he won’t miss that at all: ‘I’m glad I don’t have to fly to Australia in February.’
Marko has been with Red Bull since 2005—the year they debuted in Formula 1. He served as an advisor and led the Red Bull Junior Team. However, 2025 marked the end of Marko’s lengthy career. The 82-year-old advisor retired after the Abu Dhabi GP and is now enjoying his first winter break in a long time away from the F1 spotlight.
Marko is particularly relishing one specific prospect now that his years in the top tier are behind him. “I enjoy the idea that I don’t have to fly to Australia in February,” he candidly shared with F1-Insider. Yet, he will continue to closely follow motorsport. “I’m currently setting up everything on the TV so I still have all the information I’m used to. Without sector times and that sort of thing, it’s hard to follow a race.”
Marko’s Retirement: Not the End of the Road!
Marko may be enjoying his retirement, but Günther Steiner believes the former advisor isn’t done with Formula 1 just yet. “I didn’t expect it to go this way,” said the ex-team boss of Haas. “I actually thought he would announce his retirement after next season. But, well, he’s not getting any younger, and the constant traveling in the F1 circus eventually takes its toll. However, we will definitely hear more from him in the future – that’s something we don’t need to worry about,” Steiner added.
