[Saba Sports News] Recently, Sebastian Vettel publicly responded for the first time to the topic of Helmut Marko’s departure after more than 20 years with the Red Bull Racing team. The 82-year-old Austrian is a key figure in Red Bull’s dynasty, and Vettel is one of the standout talents he identified. In an interview with German media, Vettel expressed his surprise at Marko’s departure, extending his best wishes to his former mentor.
He stated that Marko made significant contributions not only in driver development but also in key areas such as team composition and strategic direction, helping to establish the foundation for the success of both Red Bull Racing and its sister team, AlphaTauri. It was Marko who brought Vettel into the young driver program, leading to his four consecutive championships from 2010 to 2013.
With Marko’s exit, speculation regarding successors for Red Bull’s young driver program has arisen, with Vettel’s name frequently mentioned. However, Vettel, who retired at the end of 2022, did not explicitly deny the possibility. He mentioned that he is not accustomed to sitting in an office but is always interested in team dynamics and the human and psychological aspects of the sport. If a suitable challenge or opportunity arises in the future, he does not rule out returning to racing, though he is not in a hurry to make a decision.