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Helmut Marko named Austrian Grand Prix ambassador as he returns to Formula One, Red Bull and Max Verstappen reflect on his legacy.
Helmut Marko with Isack Hadjar of France and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls prior to Sprint qualifying ahead of the Miami GP (Picture credit: AFP)
Former Austrian racing driver Helmut Marko, who was also an advisor at Red Bull Racing till the end of last season, has now been made the brand ambassador of the Austrian Grand Prix, which is scheduled for Sunday, June 28.
The Red Bull Ring has hosted the Austrian GP since 2014, during which Marko and Toto Wolff have been among the most prominent Austrian figures in the sport.
Marko’s sudden exit from Red Bull Racing after the 2025 season had raised doubts over his presence at this year’s race. But the team has now confirmed his appointment as an ambassador to the Austrian GP, marking his first Formula One role since his departure.
“Helmut has remained very open and available to us. I am [talking to him]they are, I am sure we are all having chats with him and getting guidance from him, even though you don’t see him turning up at the racetrack,” Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said while speaking on Beyond The Grid podcast.
“You cannot turn the page of Helmut who has been building this young driver programme for two decades with incredible success. You don’t turn that page quickly. So we are living on his legacy right now and as I said, he is behind the scenes if we need him,” Mekies added.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen also indicated that he remains in regular contact with his former mentor.
“Maybe a few fewer Austrian-sided jokes from Helmut, but I am in touch with him anyway. Maybe not so much about the details of the car, but just life,” Verstappen had said.
“I shared so many moments with him, so, of course, it will feel a little bit different in the garage, but you also have to just look ahead, right?” Verstappen added.
Although Verstappen finished a creditable second in the drivers’ championship last year, he currently finds himself in ninth with just 12 points, even behind Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
April 10, 2026, 6:59 PM IST
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