Dr. Helmut Marko admits that his ongoing support for Max Verstappen is one of just two reasons why he continues to work in Formula 1 at nearly 82 years old.
Last year, Marko found himself at the center of the leadership power struggle at Red Bull, with reports suggesting he was nearly ousted amid Christian Horner's growing influence.
Ultimately, Verstappen's vocal support and public ultimatum helped secure Marko's place in the team.
"I have never felt so connected to a driver," Marko admitted to Dutch magazine Formule 1. "I admit that right away."
The interviewer even suggested that Marko serves as a "second father" to Verstappen.
"You won't hear me say that," Marko laughed. "What I do know is the first time I had a serious conversation with Max, he was 13 years old. Normally, I talk to a young driver for 10 to 15 minutes. With Max, it was more than an hour."
Reflecting on Verstappen's intervention to keep him at Red Bull, Marko acknowledges just how much it meant to him.
"I still do this job for only two reasons – one is Max, and the other is to preserve the spirit of Red Bull and Dietrich Mateschitz in the racing team. At least that is what I try to do, because there is no one who can really replace Mateschitz.
"As for Max, he is a great talent and a special person. He is everything Red Bull stands for. The boss always said – we don't buy stars, we make stars. Max is the perfect example of that: direct, approachable, and a great sportsman.
It is wonderful to work with someone like that, although I was also very close to Seb (Vettel)."
Verstappen's deep connection with Marko has also given Max's father, Jos Verstappen, the ability to step back from a highly active role in his son's career.
For 2025, Jos has revealed that he plans to take part in an extensive rallying program, competing in "19 or 20" events.
"All the BRC rallies, all the ERC rallies, the Rallye International du Valais, and a historic rally in Sweden," he said on the Op De Rallykoffie podcast. "We will also participate in the East African Safari Classic Rally with the Porsche. We have an incredibly beautiful program.
"But of course, I am still involved with Max. Not as much as before, but today he is old enough and mature enough to cope on his own."
Meanwhile, De Telegraaf reports that Verstappen will get his first taste of the 2025 Red Bull car during a private filming day in Bahrain, just before official pre-season testing begins.
