Formula 1 will see the return of Helmut Marko to the paddock in 2026, just a few months after his departure from Red Bull Racing. The Austrian will take on a new role linked to the Austrian GP, marking his first activity related to the category since the end of last season.
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Marko left the team at the end of 2025, ending a long journey with the Milton Keynes team. During this period, he was a central figure in the successful years that yielded eight drivers’ titles with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, four titles each, in addition to seven constructors’ titles.
Marko’s departure from the role of Red Bull consultant at the end of last season put an end to one of Formula 1’s most enduring partnerships, as Marko was considered one of those primarily responsible for the team’s sporting structure and young driver development.
According to information published by OE24, Marko will serve as an ambassador for the Austrian GP. The role marks his return to the Formula 1 environment, albeit outside of a direct position within a team.
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This race held in Spielberg returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2014 and has since been the stage for memorable moments. The Austrian circuit has already hosted intense battles, including clashes between direct competitors in the fight for the title.
The importance of the event was reinforced last year when Formula 1 confirmed the long-term renewal of the Austrian GP. The agreement ensures the race’s presence on the calendar until at least 2041, consolidating the circuit as one of the traditional stages of the season.
In 2026, the Austrian GP is scheduled for June 28 and will be the eighth round of the championship. As a result, the expectation is that Marko will once again be present in the category’s paddock, marking his first official appearance in Formula 1 since leaving Red Bull at the end of 2025.
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