Helmut Marko reveals how Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz’s death affected their F1 team

Helmut Marko shed light on the initial uncertainty after Dietrich Mateschitz's untimely demise in 2022.

Helmut Marko reveals how Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz’s death affected their F1 team

Dietrich Mateschitz and Dr. Helmut Marko (image via Racingnews365)

Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz passed away on October 22, 2022. The Austrian played a pivotal role in making the energy drinks company a behemoth in the global market. Mateschitz was also the person who brought the Austrian company to Formula 1. Now, Red Bull Racing consultant Dr. Helmut Marko has revealed the change in the F1 team after the death of the Austrian billionaire.

Marko stated that he continues to have direct access to the leadership of the energy drinks giant. Previously, the 80-year-old used to be Dietrich Mateschitz, but now it is Oliver Mintzlaff who maintains direct contact with the Red Bull advisor. Helmut Marko even mentioned that this setup has ensured that the F1 team does not need to wait for a board to make calls.

YouTube video

The Red Bull consultant told Motorsports Magazine, “I’m reporting directly, it used to be Mateschitz and now Mintzlaff. We have the flexibility of quick decisions, which means we don’t have a big board behind us which is much more difficult.”

FS Video

Moreover, Helmut Marko opened up about the uncertain times after the death of the Red Bull co-founder. Thankfully, the new leadership at Red Bull has ensured that the smooth process regarding the F1 operations remains intact. The 80-year-old explained, “After Mr. Mateschitz’s death, it was not quite clear in the meantime how it will go on, but that has been regulated in the meantime and we have this freedom and quick decision-making again, that we had during Mateschitz’s lifetime.”

Discover: Five times Red Bull replaced a driver in the middle of an F1 season

Helmut Marko opens up about his future at Red Bull

Dr. Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen (image via GPFans)
Dr. Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen (image via GPFans)

The Red Bull consultant has been a key figure at Milton Keynes since the team’s takeover by the energy drinks giant at the end of 2004. Marko is now 80 years old and has shown no signs of leaving the paddock. The Austrian claimed that he will continue his duties for the team till he remains fit. As such, the ruthless Red Bull driver program will continue at the helm of the special advisor.

Helmut Marko and Christian Horner have achieved immense success in Formula 1 with Red Bull with the support of Dietrich Mateschitz. The two men did the unthinkable and made an energy drinks company a big player at the pinnacle of motorsport. Marko is also responsible for scouting some of the most talented F1 drivers, such as Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, and Daniel Ricciardo.

Thus, Dr. Helmut Marko admitted that there was a time of uncertainty after the death of Dietrich Mateschitz. The Red Bull co-founder was passionate about the sport and had left no stone unturned in making Red Bull Racing a title challenger. It seems that Oliver Mintzlaff has continued to follow the order made by Mateschitz that has worked perfectly for 18 years.

In case you missed it: