Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has insisted that he has the “strength” to continue working in Formula 1, despite the fact he’s now 80 years old.
Marko isn’t an employee of the Red Bull F1 team itself, with him actually coming under the energy drink company directly.
The Austrian’s future has been a bit of a talking point in recent months, following speculation that team principal Christian Horner is trying to oust him.
Horner has stressed that there is no truth to the rumours, whilst Marko himself has admitted that only he will decide when it’s time to retire.
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Max Verstappen is a huge supporter of Marko and is very fond of him, to the extent that it was rumoured that if the advisor were to be sacked, then the three-time World Champion would leave as well.
It’s now understood that Marko has a contract for 2024; however, talks about his future will still take place over the winter.
Marko has noted that this happens every year, with it being “customary” at Red Bull to talk about his role at the end of a campaign.
“We generally discuss what I’m doing after the season,” Marko told OE24.
“It’s customary to discuss what to do in the future after a season, that’s always been the case.”
With 2024 set to be the biggest calendar in the sport’s history, it’s been pondered whether Marko will attend all 24 races.
He is certain that he has the “strength” to attend every race, as he was in better shape than most at the end of the opening day of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The opening day in Sin City didn’t end until 4am local time, due to the lengthy delay required to check all the manhole covers.
Several drivers looked very tired in Las Vegas, whilst Marko admits that he found himself to be in “amazingly good shape”.
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“I have the strength,” Marko insisted.
“In Las Vegas I was in amazingly good shape and in a better mood than most of the others.”
Whether 2024 will be his last season with Red Bull in F1 remains to be seen, although it can be guaranteed that it’ll be his decision as to what he does beyond his current contract.