Red Bull's Dilemma: Marko's 'Huge' Concerns on Verstappen's Future
Apr.14 - As Red Bull's performance situation worsens in unison with Max Verstappen's mood, speculation is re-firing that the team could be set to lose its star driver. While the..
Name | Helmut Marko |
Country | ![]() |
Place of Birth | Graz |
Date of Birth | Apr 27th 1943 - 81 years old |
Season Entries | 2 |
Car Number | 26 |
First Race | 1971 Austrian F1 GP |
Last Race | 1972 French F1 GP |
Best Qualifying | 6th - 1972 French F1 GP |
Best Result | 8th - 1972 Monaco F1 GP |
F1 Teams History | BRM (1971-1972) |
Helmut Marko F1 Stats | |
Grand Prix Entries | 9 |
Grand Prix Starts | 9 |
Total Points | 0.00 |
Avg. Points per GP | 0.00 |
Grand Prix Wins | 0 |
Pole Positions | 0 |
Avg. GP Grid | 16.9 |
GP Podiums | 0 |
GP Fastest Laps | 0 |
GP Points Finish | 0 |
Avg. GP Position | 11.1 |
GP Retirements | 2 (22,2%) |
GP DNF's | 2 (22,2%) |
Total GP Laps | 509 |
Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko laughs in the garage during final practice for the 2019 F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone
Helmut Marko is a name that is synonymous with the world of Formula 1. Born on April 27, 1943, in Graz, Austria, Marko's passion for motorsport was evident from an early age. He started racing go-karts at the age of 10 and quickly progressed to bigger and faster machines.
Marko's talent and determination to succeed saw him move up the ranks quickly. In 1971, he made his debut with the BRM team at the Austrian Grand Prix. He continued to drive for the team in 1972. However, his career was cut short due to a horrific accident during practice for the 1972 French Grand Prix. The French GP was driven on the beautiful but dangerous Charade circuit. Marko drove behind the Lotus of Emerson Fittipaldi that kick-up a rock that flew thru Marko's helmet visor and hit him in the face. Helmut lost his left eye and that ended his driving career.
Despite this setback, Marko didn't let the accident dampen his spirit. He turned his attention to the management side of the sport and started working with the legendary driver Niki Lauda. In 1976, he helped Lauda win his first championship with Ferrari. This was just the beginning of a long and successful career in motorsport management for Marko.
In 2005, Marko became the head of Red Bull's driver development program. It was here that he discovered Sebastian Vettel, who would go on to become one of the most successful drivers in the sport. Marko's sharp eye for talent continued to pay off as he also brought in other talented drivers, including Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen.
Marko's work with Red Bull has seen the team win four consecutive drivers' and constructors' championships from 2010-2013, establishing them as one of the dominant forces in Formula 1. Marko's impact on the sport is immeasurable, and his eye for talent and ability to manage and develop drivers has been crucial to the success of the Red Bull team.
Marko's contribution to Formula 1 has been widely recognized, and in 2019 he was inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame. His passion for the sport and his ability to recognize talent have helped shape the careers of some of the sport's greatest drivers. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of drivers and fans alike.
1971 | 1972 |
---|---|
31st | 34th |
Year | Team | Engine | GP | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Pod | Pole | Laps | FL | Avg Pts | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1972 |
![]() | BRM | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 337 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
1971 |
![]() | BRM | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 172 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
8th | 1 Time |
10th | 2 Times |
11th | 1 Time |
12th | 1 Time |
13th | 1 Time |
14th | 1 Time |
DNF | 2 Times |
Year | Race | No | Team | Engine | Grid | Pos | Retired | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 | 1972 | 1972 French F1 GP | 25 | BRM | BRM | 6 | DNF | Eye injury | 0 |
8 | 1972 | 1972 Belgian F1 GP | 27 | BRM | BRM | 23 | 10 | 0 | |
7 | 1972 | 1972 Monaco F1 GP | 26 | BRM | BRM | 17 | 8 | 0 | |
6 | 1972 | 1972 South African F1 GP | 24 | BRM | BRM | 23 | 14 | 0 | |
5 | 1972 | 1972 Argentine F1 GP | 7 | BRM | BRM | 19 | 10 | 0 | |
4 | 1971 | 1971 USA F1 GP | 17 | BRM | BRM | 16 | 13 | 0 | |
3 | 1971 | 1971 Canadian F1 GP | 31 | BRM | BRM | 19 | 12 | 0 | |
2 | 1971 | 1971 Italian F1 GP | 21 | BRM | BRM | 12 | DNF | Engine | 0 |
1 | 1971 | 1971 Austrian F1 GP | 16 | BRM | BRM | 17 | 11 | 0 |
Year | Team | Team Mate | Best Pos | Points | Wins | Poles | Pos | Quali | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1971 | BRM | George Eaton | 12 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Howden Ganley | 11 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | ||
Jo Siffert | 11 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||
John Cannon | 13 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
Peter Gethin | 11 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | ||
1972 | BRM | Alex Soler-Roig | 10 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Howden Ganley | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||
Jean-Pierre Beltoise | 8 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||
Peter Gethin | 8 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
Reine Wisell | 8 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Apr.14 - As Red Bull's performance situation worsens in unison with Max Verstappen's mood, speculation is re-firing that the team could be set to lose its star driver. While the..
Apr.13 - Max Verstappen has dismissed his current chances of winning a fifth consecutive world championship in 2025. When asked how he feels at the wheel of the RB21 in Bahrain,..
Apr.12 - McLaren should cruise to victory on Sunday, according to Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko. Although Max Verstappen won from pole at Suzuka a week ago, the conditions in..
Apr.12 - Isack Hadjar is a true star of the future, according to Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko. Liam Lawson started the season as Max Verstappen's teammate at the senior team,..
Apr.11 - Max Verstappen's 2025 campaign will not skip a beat even though his first child is poised to be born. Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko told Kronen Zeitung newspaper that..
Apr.7 - Dr Helmut Marko poked fun at McLaren's so-called 'Papaya rules', after Max Verstappen beat the two orange-coloured cars at Suzuka on both Saturday and Sunday. McLaren is..
Apr.7 - Max Verstappen initiated the recent emergency technical meeting at Red Bull's Milton-Keynes factory, preceding his breakthrough first win from pole at Suzuka. Given the..
Apr.6 - Dr Helmut Marko has slammed reports that he has become increasingly disempowered at Red Bull. Days ago, the energy drink brand's well-known Formula 1 advisor was quoted as..
Apr.5 - Dr Helmut Marko's account of recent driver decisions at Red Bull have been contradicted. Yuki Tsunoda is in the cockpit now, but only after Sergio Perez's contract was..
Apr.4 - Dr Helmut Marko may disagree with the latest driver decisions at Red Bull. The 81-year-old Austrian is known in the Formula 1 paddock for primarily being concerned about..
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