Marko: “The transfer of Red Bull staff is a ‘natural development’”
Helmut Marko downplayed the departure of several key team members from Red Bull.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko shrugged off concerns about recent staff transfers to rival teams, stating that it’s a natural process for a successful team like theirs. In recent months, key personnel such as technical chief Adrian Newey, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, and head of race strategy Will Courtenay have taken positions with Aston Martin, Sauber/Audi, and McLaren, respectively.
Last year, engineering chief Rob Marshall also left Red Bull to join McLaren and recently took up the role of technical director of engineering and design.
After Courtenay’s move was announced last week, Jos Verstappen voiced his concern about the ongoing departures, saying, “This is what I warned about. Too many people are leaving now.”
However, Marko’s view differs from the Dutchman’s, as shown in an interview with Autosport’s sister publication Formel1.de.
When asked if the power struggle between himself and team principal Christian Horner was the reason behind the departures, Marko responded: “When you’re as successful as we are, the transfer of people is a natural development.
“Courtenay had a much more attractive offer in terms of position and financial incentives, and the same applies to most of the others.”
The Austrian also confirmed that head strategy engineer Hannah Schmitz is the only candidate to replace Courtenay as the head of race strategy.
Marko added, “But one thing is now very clear: to ensure we win this year’s world championship and build successful cars for next year and the year after, we must stick together and do everything we can. Because keeping Max Verstappen is the foundation for that.”
Verstappen’s future with the team isn’t guaranteed, as Mercedes had considered signing the three-time world champion but decided to promote highly-rated young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli to the race seat for 2025. This led team boss Toto Wolff to admit they had to end their interest in Verstappen.
Meanwhile, with the arrival of Newey, Aston Martin is openly trying to lure the Dutch driver to their side, and Verstappen has remained discreet about this possibility.
When asked whether Newey could solve Red Bull’s current challenges, Marko responded: “That’s an empty and obvious question. We have a versatile team, and they have to solve it—and they will.”
However, Red Bull is eagerly looking forward to completing work on their new wind tunnel, as the current one in Bedford is outdated.
Marko commented, “A more modern wind tunnel would help.”
“Our wind tunnel is a model built by the British army post-war.”
“We are no longer up to date, not even close. Hopefully, our new wind tunnel will be operational in 2026.”
