Helmut Marko snubs Max Verstappen to name Red Bull’s ‘most important’ signing

Red Bull Racing has established itself as one of the most successful teams in F1’s recent history. The Austrian giant won back-to-back titles with Sebastian Vettel over a decade ago. Now, this success has been replicated by Max Verstappen. However, Dr. Helmut Marko had another name in mind for the team’s most important signing.

Marko recalled the time when the energy drinks giant had just acquired the Jaguar F1 team in 2004. Red Bull was ready to invest heavily into the team. Subsequently, Christian Horner managed to successfully bring in Adrian Newey from McLaren. Helmut Marko claimed that the aero genius was the most important signing for Milton Keynes.

The big change came, and the most important thing was signing Adrian Newey.

Helmut Marko said on Inside Line F1 Podcast

The Red Bull leadership did not have experience in winning world champions. This is where Adrian Newey played a pivotal role. Newey had previously achieved incredible success at Williams and McLaren. As such, the aero genius could help lay down the foundations for the team.

He was the only one on the team who had experience winning Championships.

Helmut Marko added

Helmut Marko claims Adrian Newey brought the ‘demands’ to make Red Bull win in F1

Red Bull was not taken seriously by rivals when it acquired Jaguar. Many believed that the Austrian giant would stay in the sport for a few years before shifting focus elsewhere. However, Red Bull wanted to win in F1. Helmut Marko asserted that it was Adrian Newey who brought the knowledge and the demands that helped turn the British squad into a race-winning team.

He brought all the knowledge, but also the demands necessary to form a winning team in the races.

Helmut Marko stated

Certainly, Adrian Newey played a massive role in establishing Red Bull as a top team in F1. However, the 65-year-old is no longer a member of the Austrian team. As such, it remains to be seen if Milton Keynes will feel the absence of the aero genius in the time to come.

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