Marko emotional: 'Too bad Dietrich is not experiencing this'

Helmut Marko is the man of harsh decisions. Just ask Nyck de Vries, who was sidelined without mercy by the 80-year-old. Yet Marko is also a man full of emotion. After all the tensions of the season subsided after the concluding Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, the Red Bull Racing adviser had the emotion. Tears even flowed for Marko.

Marko could not have wished for more in 2023: all but one Grands Prix were won, Max Verstappen took his third world title, Sergio Perez finished second, and Red Bull again took the constructors' championship. It was all even better than the Austrians - with driving force Marko - ever managed before in history.

Mateschitz did not see Verstappen dominate again

Reflecting on the highlights next on Sky Sports in Germany, Marko snapped. "It is a pity - it has been a year since Mateschitz's death - that he was not able to witness this triumph and this incredible achievement, both of the team and of our drivers, but especially of Max Verstappen," Marko said, shedding a tear.

Dietrich Mateschitz was the co-owner of Red Bul. He died in October 2022, just after Max Verstappen took his second world title. The Austrian was unable to celebrate the constructors' championship later that season. Helmut Marko and Mateschitz were always very close friends. Marko previously revealed he still finds the billionaire's loss difficult.