Formula 1 News: Vettel praises Marko as succession rumors swirl

(GMM) Sebastian Vettel (pictured taking the garbage out at the Sao Paulo GP) has re-emerged in the conversation just as Dr Helmut Marko’s abrupt Red Bull exit continues to dominate headlines.

Although Red Bull has reportedly briefed through Sky Deutschland that it does not plan to replace Marko’s advisory role, the 82-year-old himself left the door ajar when departing.

“My suggestion is irrelevant,” he said. “Red Bull decides everything. There are many names, but no decisions yet.”

Now Ralf Schumacher has poured fuel on the speculation. Speaking to sport.de, he insisted Red Bull will fill the vacancy.

“An era comes to an end,” said the former F1 driver. “This applies to the entire youth program. There are rumors about who will take his place. And it’s a good person. Who? Unfortunately, I can’t say.

“But if everything goes according to plan, it will be a real sensation.”

Given ongoing whispers all season that Vettel could be considered for a Red Bull leadership role, Ralf’s wording immediately reignited that theory.

At the very same time, 38-year-old Vettel has broken his recent silence – but only to comment on Marko himself.

“I was just as surprised as everyone else,” he told Sport1. “I wish Helmut all the best for his future and a well-earned retirement.”

He paid strong tribute to the man who guided him to four world titles: “He is the architect of the success of Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso. Not only regarding driver selection – key decisions concerning team structure, personnel, and strategy also went back to him.”

Vettel added: “Helmut can call himself the originator of Red Bull’s success in Formula 1.”

Former Red Bull juniors also reflected on Marko’s impact. Christian Klien – the first Red Bull-backed driver Marko pushed into F1 with Jaguar – told Kronen Zeitung: “This school was tough, but Helmut always proved he could discover and nurture exceptional talent.”

Austrian GT star Philipp Eng agreed, recalling his own introduction at age 14: “Without him, my karting career would have been over.

“But when I was invited to Graz for an interview and we arrived an hour and a half late because of a huge traffic jam, I thought: ‘That’s that then.'”

Related Article before Marko retired: Formula 1 News: Red Bull said ‘no’ to Vettel replacing Marko