“Dietrich Mateschitz is missing a lot”

At the beginning of March, Formula 1 will start its new season in Bahrain. It will be the first for Red Bull Racing without Dietrich Mateschitz. The group founder died in October after a long and serious illness.

Helmut Marko explains that his influence on the Formula 1 team was significant. “He’s missing a lot,” says the Styrian to RTL. For Red Bull’s motorsport consultant, it was “the second heavy loss” after the death of Niki Lauda.

“It’s getting harder. You have to make the decisions alone, you no longer have the opportunity to exchange ideas at the same level,” says the 79-year-old. Referring to Mateschitz, he says: “Whenever there were problems, he saw a solution.”

Carry on in his legacy

Mateschitz was always constructive, radiated confidence and belief in the project and encouraged the employees – even at their last meeting, Marko remembers. “That was at Lake Wolfgang in September together with Max Verstappen. It was a very long meeting.”

Before the death of the head of the company, Marko had called him regularly after the races. “There is a certain emptiness, and initially these five minutes and this summary were missing immediately after a race.” Marko first had to get used to this new situation. Nevertheless, they want to build on past successes “and continue to lead the team in Mr. Mateschitz’s legacy.”

The new main person responsible in the frenzied bull stable is Oliver Mintzlaff. The German had already worked in the football department of the Red Bull Group.