F1 News: Helmut Marko Gives Update On Red Bull Future Amid Contract Extension Talks

Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko's future with the team looked uncertain until last week.

Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko, originally scheduled to discuss his future with the company's top management, has provided an update, indicating that he will remain with the organization throughout 2024.

However, he hasn't offered clarity of his future beyond 2024, as his contract expires at the end of next year. But from his motivated tone, he seems happy to be continuing his role as the Red Bull Racing team advisor and is looking forward to the record-breaking Formula 1 calendar next year. 

The 80-year-old advisor's future with the team was covered with doubts following a circulating report that hinted at team principal Christian Horner seeking ways to remove the advisor and assume total control over Red Bull's Formula 1 operations.

In addition, it was also reported that the advisor's influence within the organization was diminishing following the demise of company founder Dietrich Mateschitz last year, with whom he was known to share a close association.

But, the latest update from Marko suggests that he is to continue for the time being "as planned." When asked if his future with the team was clear, he told OE24:

"Yes, in a positive sense, everything is continuing as planned."

When he was asked if he would be able to deal with the stress of 24 Grands Prix next year, he answered:

"Yes, yes. But that's not stressful for me. If I said: 'It's crazy what's coming to me!', it would be difficult. But I say to myself: Australia is beautiful, I'm looking forward to the trip to Melbourne. From Friday 11 a.m. to Sunday evening I do my job for Red Bull Racing, and I enjoy it."

The Austrian advisor has been associated with the Milton-Keynes outfit since it entered the Formula 1 grid in 2005. He actively participated in Red Bull's driver development program, renowned for providing racing opportunities to various drivers, including the current duo of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.