Verstappen's first reaction after Marko officially departs Red Bull

16:50, 09 Dec

Updated: 17:17, 09 Dec

byOlly Darcy

Max Verstappen said he is "forever grateful" for Helmut Marko and his "belief" in the Dutchman as the Austrian is set to depart Red Bull.

"We’ve achieved everything we ever dreamed of together."

- Max Verstappen

In a statement from Red Bull, Marko announced that he would leave Red Bull after 20 years, just two days after the end of the 2025 season, where Verstappen missed out on the World Championship by just two points to Lando Norris.

After Red Bull replaced Jaguar in 2005, they have become one of the dominant forces in Formula 1, with Marko holding the motorsport advisor position for 20 years and overseeing six Constructors' Championships and eight Drivers' Championships.

Along with that, his work as the head of Red Bull's Young Drivers Program saw 17 drivers from that program make it into Formula 1.

marko-max verstappen-qatar-red bull content pool-jpeg

Helmut Marko worked with Max Verstappen ever since the Dutchman was part of the Young Driver Program, resulting in four world titles - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Along with Sebastian Vettel, Verstappen became the second four-time World Champion to come out of the Young Driver Program, and there was plenty of praise from the 28-year-old towards Marko.

"Thank you, Helmut," the Dutchman started by saying in a post on Instagram regarding the news of Marko's departure.

"We’ve achieved everything we ever dreamed of together. I’m forever grateful for your belief in me."

Mintzlaff 'deeply regrets' Marko's move

There's also been some reaction to Marko's decision to leave Red Bull from Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull's Managing Director.

The German stated that he 'deeply regrets' the decision made by Marko to leave Red Bull after the two shared a 'long and intensive conversation'.

"Helmut Marko will be deeply missed—both personally and professionally. We wish him all the very best for the future and hope that he will remain closely and warmly connected to the team.”

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