Helmut Marko has confirmed that he is parting company with Red Bull after 25 years.

"I have been involved in motorsport for six decades now," said the Austrian inn a jint statement with the team, "and the past 20-plus years at Red Bull have been an extraordinary and extremely successful journey.

"It has been a wonderful time that I have been able to help shape and share with so many talented people," he continued. "Everything we have built and achieved together fills me with pride.

"Narrowly missing out on the world championship this season has moved me deeply and made it clear to me that now is the right moment for me personally to end this very long, intense, and successful chapter.

"I wish the entire team continued success and am convinced that they will be fighting for both world championship titles again next year."

"Helmut approached me with the wish to end his role as motorsport advisor at the end of the year," added Red Bull CEO, Oliver Mintzlaff. "I deeply regret his decision, as he has been an influential figure for more than two decades, and his departure marks the end of an extraordinary era.

"After a long and intensive conversation, I knew that I had to respect his wishes, as I gained the impression that the timing felt right for him to take this step," he continued. "Even though his departure will leave a significant gap, our respect for his decision and our gratitude for everything he has done for Red Bull Racing outweigh it."

More to follow.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 3 hours ago

"Credit were its due, he's a product of his time and it has served him well on occasions. A few drivers owe their career to his instincts. That said, with Marko here, when you wield power irresponsibly that boomerang you toss will eventually circle back and get you right up side yer nut. It seems the American trend of "FAFO" is finally making its way across the pond."

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2. Posted by Tyrbiter, 10 hours ago

"I think you always knew where you stood with Marko, basically in the hot spot surrounded by flames.

I won't miss him but people of his age and origins in the sport were different from the modern cadre which meant that they had a certain internal steel that was not at all flexible."

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3. Posted by dejan, 12 hours ago

"Marko stayed too long and became part of the problem at Red Bull."

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4. Posted by JamesD, 13 hours ago

"Sorry, up there with Horner for me - will not be missed one bit. Perhaps Jos could also exit stage right, that would make my Christmas !!"

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5. Posted by meatball, 14 hours ago

"Nice of them to fire the guy but let him keep his dignity. He's done a lot for RB. Love him or Hate him, he was a key reason they were so successful."

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6. Posted by Chester, 15 hours ago

"I am no insider, so I have zero idea of what dastardly things he did, if any. Still I did like Marko's decisiveness. He likely stayed past his sell by date. Eight WDC titles? He owes no one an apology.

Successful people are not always liked, and who is kidding who, with "You have to be a nice guy too". This is and was Formula 1."

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7. Posted by ffracer, 15 hours ago

"In the end, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko were answerable to someone, they just had the utter audacity to truly believe that they were above it all as they had the best interests for the company, no matter how sinister or devious they had to be. I can only imagine how many drivers went through the same madness Alex Dunne went through, since the early 2000s.

Good riddance. "

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8. Posted by rambler, 15 hours ago

"Who will replace him? Jos Verstappen? He is at nearly all the races. Will Christian Horner return?"

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9. Posted by KKK, 15 hours ago

"I'm sad that he has stepped down, but it was a hard decision for him to take. May I wish him the best of his retirement"

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10. Posted by Spindoctor, 16 hours ago

"I'm not too disappointed. I don't think he's been adding much value for quite a while now."

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Official: Marko leaves Red Bull

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