Overview
- Marko publicly confirmed his retirement after the Abu Dhabi finale, closing a two‑decade run that delivered eight drivers’ and six constructors’ championships for Red Bull.
- He argued the team dismissed Christian Horner too late and claimed the delay ultimately denied Max Verstappen this year’s championship.
- He insisted the decision to step down was his alone, describing a clean departure after a Dubai meeting with Red Bull executive Oliver Mintzlaff despite a contract running to 2026.
- He expects no one-for-one replacement and points to Oliver Mintzlaff, Laurent Mekies and Alan Permane as key figures who can share his former responsibilities.
- Sebastian Vettel said he was surprised and praised Marko as an architect of Red Bull’s success, while Marko said Verstappen learned of the decision by phone after a missed dinner.