Oct 23, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team driver Sebastian Vettel (center) of Team Germany speaks with Red Bull racing advisor Helmut Marko (left) and Red Bull Racing Limited driver Max Verstappen (right) of Team Netherlands before the start of the U.S. Grand Prix F1 race at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Helmut Marko Names Former F1 Champion as 'Ideal Successor' at Red Bull

Originally posted on F1 on SI | By Nelson Espinal | Last updated Apr 19, 2025 1:02 PM ET

Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko has identified Sebastian Vettel as his ideal successor in his role within the team.

Marko has been a key figure within the Red Bull team, managing the team's junior program and exerting significant influence over driver decisions.

Prone to controversy, the Austrian has introduced Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, and Daniel Ricciardo while also developing Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, who have since left the team to establish themselves as F1 drivers.

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Marko is 81-years-old and is aware that he does not have much longer in the sport.

“I think he would be the ideal successor candidate,” Marko told Sky Germany.

Helmut Marko sees Sebastian Vettel as the ideal successor to take over his advisory role at Red Bull once he retires

"It would be amazing if someone like Sebastian took over my job one day. He wouldn’t need a year—he'd have it under control after just two races."… pic.twitter.com/Ywh5LBAbWd
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) April 19, 2025

“It is clear that at some point you can no longer do it, not least because of your age. Because those travel efforts are no small thing.”

“Of course, it would be great if a guy like Sebastian could take over. You have the side of the junior program, he’s already working with girls here in the go-karts in Saudi Arabia. On the other side, of course, there’s the great strategic leadership of his Formula 1 team.”

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Vettel is one of the most revered figures on the grid, given his outspoken advocacy for environmental causes and his efforts to provide more people with the chance to compete in motorsport.

During his final years in F1, Vettel also served as a prominent voice in driver meetings, taking on the responsibility to vouch for drivers.

It's uncertain whether Vettel would be open to a role similar to Marko's, but Marko suggests that Vettel's off-track ambitions might bridge his environmental interests with his passion for motorsport.

carlos: i had to win the world series to go to f1...
alex: or helmut was gonna *whip sound*
carlos: or helmut was *slits throat*

the awkward laughter pic.twitter.com/PE2p2kX6bj
— yoyo (@williamssainz) April 18, 2025

“I don’t think he needs a year,” Marko said.

“That’s two races and then he has it under control. But this is a new approach and I think Sebastian has found himself now."

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“He knows what he wants to do in the future and that is first and foremost motor racing. He may be a forest owner in Austria with his own hunting grounds, but you can combine all that."

Vettel could offer a more modern approach to the team and take a gentler approach in nurturing drivers, utilizing the extensive Red Bull resources to potentially revolutionize driver development programs.

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This article first appeared on F1 on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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