How Helmut Marko’s Red Bull payout compares to Christian Horner after confirming his exit

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After 20 years with the team, eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships, Helmut Marko has left Red Bull.

The 82-year-old Austrian has been with the team since they bought Jaguar in 2005 and is credited with giving Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen their chance in F1. Marko was also responsible for multiple driver changes for underperformance, making him a controversial figure.

He becomes the latest big name after the likes of Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley and Christian Horner to leave Red Bull in the past two years. Verstappen was ‘a little sad’ to hear Marko was leaving, having defended him immensely during the team’s tensions last year.

The Austrian was rumoured to be on the verge of being sacked in 2024, with the Dutchman having a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave if Marko did. This has now been eliminated by the team, with Red Bull’s owners ‘explicitly’ offering their full commitment to Verstappen.

But Marko’s exit marks another big shift in the team’s atmosphere, and it also sees a substantial payout from Red Bull.

Helmut Marko was paid £8.7m to leave Red Bull, while Christian Horner was paid £80m

Marko had a deal until 2026 in Milton Keynes. However, a report from Bild states that Red Bull had been in discussions over ‘whether they want to continue with Marko in the future’, or if ‘a complete restart is not the right way’ after sacking Horner.

Catching wind of these talks, Marko ‘preempted the discussions’ and will receive a severance package from Red Bull. The report states that the 82-year-old will be paid his full salary for 2026, which totals 10 million euros (roughly £8.7m).

Of course, this is quite a substantial fee, but it pales in comparison to what former team principal Horner was paid off back in September.

Horner was paid £80m by Red Bull to be relieved of all of his duties, with his contract expiring in 2030. The 51-year-old could have got even more from the team.

Horner sacrificed £30m to leave the team early and avoid taking gardening leave. His contract would have paid out £110m, but he took £80m from the team to make a return to F1, in theory, by the summer of 2026.

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko? Everything to know

Who will replace Helmut Marko at Red Bull?

The friction between the Red Bull hierarchy and Marko was still clear to see in 2025. Marko cost Red Bull ‘thousands’ after he signed Alex Dunne behind the team’s back – the contract was subsequently terminated.

With Marko now gone, it has left a major hole in the team’s operation. Many are wondering who will replace the Austrian, if at all.

Reports have suggested that Red Bull director Oliver Mintzlaff wants to get more involved with the team and could be set to step up and replace Marko.

It has long been rumoured that Vettel could return to F1 and take Marko’s role when he leaves. However, Red Bull have ruled out signing Vettel to replace the 82-year-old.