The successor to Helmut Marko?
Since retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season, Sebastian Vettel has been repeatedly linked to a potential return to the sport. Not only as a driver comeback but also in a more managerial position. Helmut Marko, the long-time Red Bull advisor and discoverer of many young talents including the German champion himself, has often named the former Milton Keynes driver as his ideal successor.
Marko, who turned 82 in April, will sooner or later need to reduce his commitment to the Austro-British team. However, in a recent interview, Vettel — who since retiring has only appeared occasionally at circuits driving historic cars and supporting environmental causes — distanced himself from the heavy legacy he would have to take on as the “new Marko.”
Sebastian Vettel distances himself
“For me, he is irreplaceable,” Sebastian Vettel said in the Sport am Sonntag podcast when asked if he could really take the place of the Austrian advisor in the future. “Let’s put it this way, no one can take his place. What a great man he is. Since 2005, he has given an enormous contribution to the team,” the German continued. “He is still here, and I hope he can continue his work for a long time. He is very realistic and knows exactly what he is doing. I can learn a lot from him. Maybe his role can be filled in a different way.” However, this last sentence appeared as a potential opening.
Sebastian Vettel also commented on rumors involving his former team principal, Christian Horner, with whom the four-time champion is still in contact. In recent months, rumors about Horner’s tenure at Red Bull coming to an end have resurfaced. “I don’t know, I have been away from the team too long,” Sebastian Vettel said. “There are still some engineers from my time, and I am still in contact with Christian, but many things have changed since I was there. The team has grown significantly,” the former Ferrari and Aston Martin driver concluded.
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