Helmut Marko left really annoyed by his final talk with Max Verstappen before Red Bull exit

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Helmut Marko is the latest key ally Max Verstappen has lost at Red Bull after he confirmed his exit at the end of the 2025 season.

The pair have been on an incredible journey together in Formula 1, with the Austrian giving the Dutchman his chance in the sport at just 17 years old in 2015. It would turn out to be a masterstroke, with Verstappen winning four titles with Red Bull.

He came remarkably close to adding a fifth in 2025, finishing just two points behind Lando Norris after the title decider in Abu Dhabi. After the race, it was announced that Marko would be leaving Red Bull.

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The 82-year-old has been with the team since their F1 debut in 2005. Marko says his exit is a ‘relief’ as he no longer has to travel around the world to multiple different countries during an F1 season.

But the circumstances of his departure have not best pleased Marko, particularly with how he broke the news to Verstappen.

Helmut Marko was left really annoyed by telling Max Verstappen he was leaving Red Bull over the phone

Friction between key personnel at Red Bull, including Marko, has been ongoing since 2024. Marko says Horner played ‘dirty tricks’ during the height of the tension to try and get him suspended, but Verstappen’s intervention prevented this.

The 28-year-old was a huge backer of Marko at Red Bull, with him threatening to leave the team if the Austrian did so through an exit clause. This was also avoided, but now, the two parties have parted company.

Verstappen was a ‘little sad’ about Marko’s exit, and the latter was not impressed with how he had to break the news to the former. In an interview with De Telegraaf, he revealed that he told the Dutchman over the phone that he was leaving Red Bull.

“Did you know that I also had to inform Max of my decision over the phone?” said Marko, which was something that really annoyed him.

“But because we were still fighting for the championship, I decided to wait. I didn’t want to bother Max with it.

“We were all supposed to have dinner together in Dubai on Monday, and Max was going to be there too. I wanted to tell him in person, but due to logistical circumstances, Verstappen had to cancel. So I called him as soon as I got home.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about former Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko

Will Red Bull replace Helmut Marko?

Red Bull now have another huge hole in their operation after Marko’s departure, with rumours already circulating as to who could replace him.

Sebastian Vettel has been heavily linked with replacing the Austrian since he left F1 in 2022. While discussions have been had, Marko says Vettel lacks the support from Red Bull to take his role.

It is believed that, following internal discussions, Red Bull will not replace Marko as part of a restructuring within the team.

Oliver Mintzlaff will become more hands-on with the F1 team’s operation, having acted as Red Bull GmbH’s CEO since 2009.