This is a question that was on so many lips, even before Red Bull chose to trade Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda after just two races in his new Formula 1 season.
Comments by Helmut Marco after the opening round in Australia already had him firmly on the intersection of many fans.
Marco blew tears from Isaac Hajar after the rookie crashed on a Melbourne formation lap – “a bit embarrassing” in contrast to the widespread support received by the Racing Bulls driver. Stefano Domenicali and Anthony Hamilton were both comforting Hadjar at the time, so soon there was a supportive message from fellow drivers.
For many, Marco’s remarks suggested he lost contact with how to manage up-and-coming talent, but it must be noted that Hadger himself defended the Red Bull Advisor in China a week later.
Still, it wasn’t a quiet start to the year for Red Bull driver management. Marco recently explained why Lawson was dropped and Tsunoda was promoted quickly that year, saying that some of the logic is tied to boosting Max Verstappen’s title chances.
The 81-year-old is certainly very close to Verstappen camp, and that’s where his much of the influence is currently.
Marco is a close friend and confidant of former Red Bull owner Dietrich Mattitz and was regularly asked to provide advice on drivers prior to Mattitz’s death in 2022. As a Red Bull employee, not a Red Bull race, Marco’s responsibility was an advisor to the racing team, and expanded to Macchitz’s clients, even if it was extended to Macchitz’s clients.
MatesChitz has always had the final say in the driver lineup, but most of the options Red Bull chooses will come from the well-known young driver program, where Marko had full autonomy.
However, after Mates Chitz’s death, a power struggle continues, and Marko has waned his influence within the company.
The ownership of Red Bull GmbH comes in two aspects: Thai businessman Chalerm Yoovidhya and son Mark of Mateschitz. Young Mateschitz celebrates Marco’s role with his historical relationship with his father, his importance in Verstappen’s position, and his track record in advising on teams he has had so far succeeded in Formula 1. However, MatesChitz has no autonomy. Yuvidya generally supports Christian Horner’s leadership.
It was Horner who placed experienced engineer Guillaume Rokkelin in a new position to work with junior drivers in 2022 to establish some influence in the way drivers are developed, working with junior drivers in the program. It was a so many Marco domains and is still the case today. Marco has full power over the drivers chosen to become part of the program.
The Austrians also manage to determine which team drivers are located and which categories they compete for, but Rokkelin has begun introducing other aspects to the program, such as the reintroduction of training and benchmarking programs at Geres.
When it comes to decisions about Formula One seats – whether it’s going to promote drivers to the Racing Bulls from the junior program or hand someone a Red Bull Racing Drive, the final decision is still coming from shareholders, and Horner and Marco are in a position to offer their opinions.
In the case of Lawson and the Zhoda swap, sources argue that it is a unanimous agreement, even if it means that New Zealanders are against Verstappen’s wish to be given more time to adapt to tricky cars.
The reason why this is surprising is that Marco has been consistent with Verstappen in recent years, including helping to negotiate a contract extension with his Austrian parent company. Verstappen-Marko’s relationship has become very close, especially in 2024, when the Dutch emphasized the importance of Marco’s presence in team inscriptions.
“I was always clearly indicating that he had to stay, so I can’t continue without him,” Verstappen said. “Helmut is extremely important for the future of the team, and for us to continue for the team and for me.”
Verstappen’s contract even has provisions that allow him to leave if Marco is removed from his position, and it is understood that they have been amended since then, but each future remains closely intertwined. Marko repeatedly suggested leaving Red Bull if Verstappen moves elsewhere, and the performance clause allowed four-time world champions to do so before the current contract in 2028 ends.
But if Marko doesn’t have jurisdiction over them, what should we do with some of the headline-inducing comments about current drivers or teams?
The former Formula 1 racer did not withhold opinions either personally or publicly. It coincides with the way he has always approached his advisor role, allowing him to exert his perspective even if he does not have an official say on a particular issue.
His distance from the actual team itself also means that he doesn’t have to be diplomatic. Some with a close knowledge of working with Marko suggest that some of his comments are directed at helping him stay relevant.
Marco certainly sees his influence in many areas of Red Bull Race. However, he remains important to Red Bull’s most valuable assets as he offers a direct line between Verstappen and the ownership of the team. And while he is important to Verstappen, he is important to the team.