Sebastian Vettel Reacts to Helmut Marko's Red Bull Departure

Sebastian Vettel has expressed surprise and paid tribute to Helmut Marko, calling him the "architect" of Red Bull Racing's success, following the news of Marko's retirement after two decades overseeing the team's driver program.

Why it matters:

Marko's departure marks the end of an era for Red Bull, removing a central figure who was instrumental in building the team's championship-winning culture and identifying its greatest talents. His eye for talent directly shaped the careers of multiple world champions and defined Red Bull's competitive identity for a generation.

The details:

• Vettel told F1 Insider he was "as surprised as anyone else" by the announcement, wishing Marko a well-deserved retirement.
• He credited Marko as being crucial not just for driver selection but also for key decisions on team composition, personnel, and overall strategy.
• Under Marko's watch, 20 drivers were promoted into Formula 1 through Red Bull's system.
• Three of those drivers—Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Max Verstappen—became Grand Prix winners.
• Vettel and Verstappen account for eight combined world championships and 124 race wins, with 109 of those victories achieved with Red Bull or its sister team (formerly Toro Rosso, now Racing Bulls).

What's next:

With Marko's role now vacant, the focus shifts to how Red Bull will restructure its senior leadership and driver development program. While Vettel had been previously linked as a potential successor, his comments suggest he views this as a moment for Marko's legacy to be celebrated. The team faces the challenge of maintaining its formidable talent pipeline without its longtime architect.