Did Marko hire Lindblad without permission? Montoya comments on the Austrian’s Red Bull exit. Juan Pablo Montoya discusses Helmut Marko’s departure from Red Bull.

Juan Pablo Montoya has shared his thoughts on Helmut Marko’s departure from Red Bull, suggesting that the Austrian left the team because he no longer held any real power. According to the former F1 driver, Marko’s decisive role in the team had gradually diminished over recent years, leaving him with few options.

Montoya believes that after Christian Horner’s dismissal and the departures of Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, Helmut Marko saw the beginning of a new era at Red Bull. With the team transitioning to a new leadership structure, the former Red Bull advisor decided to resign voluntarily, feeling it was the right moment to step away.

One of the triggers, according to Montoya, was Max Verstappen failing to secure his fifth world championship, among other factors that influenced Marko’s decision. Helmut Marko himself emphasized that the decision was entirely his own, but Montoya hints there is more to the story.

Montoya’s perspective

“I think Helmut [Marko] realized he no longer had any power [at Red Bull],” Juan Pablo Montoya told Grosvenor Casinos. “He used to have full control over drivers and all decisions on track. Now, I think he understands he has to ask for permission first. He reached a point where he said: ‘I will no longer be anyone’s employee.’”

Marko had been one of the most influential figures at Red Bull since the team’s creation, heavily involved in recruiting drivers and nurturing young talent. However, with all the changes in the past two years, things shifted, and according to Montoya, this was the real reason behind his decision to leave.

“It’s very difficult when you’ve had autonomy and then lose it. Suddenly, everyone starts questioning everything,” he explained.

Rumors of tensions over driver recruitment seem to confirm Montoya’s view. “It’s said he signed Formula 2 driver Alex Dunne, but then had to back out of the contract. Dunne left McLaren, signed with Red Bull, and a week later Marko called him to say, ‘I’m sorry, you’re out anyway.’”

“Another rumor is that he hired Arvid Lindblad without permission. This doesn’t surprise me at all. It was now or never,” concluded Montoya, giving credence to the former Red Bull advisor’s decision.

Juan Pablo Montoya’s comments add fuel to the debate: Was Helmut Marko’s departure a dignified exit or a push? Either way, it signals the end of an era for the energy drink giant’s motorsport empire. Fans will watch how the post-Marko structure performs when the lights go out in Melbourne.