From F1 Paddock to Matcha Counter: Helmut Marko’s Unexpected New Chapter… read more 👇 full details in the commentsÂ
For decades, Helmut Marko was one of the most influential figures in Formula 1, playing a crucial role in shaping Red Bull Racing’s success and helping develop some of the sport’s biggest stars. As the head of Red Bull’s renowned driver development program, Marko became known for his sharp eye for talent and his direct approach to management.
However, at the end of 2025, the Austrian motorsport veteran officially stepped away from Formula 1. The 83-year-old announced his retirement after a long and successful career in the paddock, bringing an end to his involvement in one of the sport’s most dominant eras. Among the factors behind his decision was Red Bull star Max Verstappen’s failure to secure a record-equalling fifth consecutive world championship title.
Marko’s departure marked the end of an era. Throughout Verstappen’s rise from promising teenager to multiple-time world champion, Marko was one of his strongest supporters and mentors. Their relationship became so close that Verstappen once described the Austrian as his “second father,” highlighting the enormous impact Marko had on his career both on and off the track.
Despite retiring from the demanding world of Formula 1, Marko has hardly slowed down. Six months after leaving the sport, he remains active in several business and promotional ventures that keep him busy while allowing him to enjoy life away from the constant pressure of race weekends.
One of his most notable roles is serving as an ambassador for the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. The circuit hosts both Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix and MotoGP events, making it one of the most important motorsport venues in the country. In this position, Marko continues to maintain a connection to the racing world while no longer being involved in the day-to-day operations of a Formula 1 team.
Away from motorsport, Marko is also a successful businessman. He owns four boutique hotels in Graz, his hometown in Austria. The hospitality industry has become an important part of his life, and recent events suggest he has been spending more time focusing on those ventures since stepping away from Formula 1.
What has surprised fans the most, however, is not his work as a hotel owner or ambassador. Instead, it is a viral social media video that has shown a completely different side of the former Red Bull advisor.
In footage originally shared on TikTok, Marko was seen behind the counter at Kai 36, one of his hotel and café establishments, preparing matcha drinks. The sight of one of Formula 1’s most recognizable figures carefully whisking matcha tea quickly caught the attention of fans online.
The video featured a group of self-described “matcha girls” enthusiastically enjoying the experience while Marko appeared slightly puzzled by the excitement surrounding the popular Japanese beverage. Nevertheless, he embraced the moment and joined the group at a table, where they enjoyed iced matcha drinks together.
For many fans, the scene was almost impossible to imagine. Marko spent decades being associated with intense driver evaluations, championship battles, and high-pressure decisions that shaped Formula 1 careers. Seeing him casually serving drinks in a café created a stark contrast to the stern and demanding personality many people had come to associate with him during his years in the paddock.
The clip quickly spread across social media platforms, with many viewers expressing disbelief that the former Red Bull executive had traded race strategy discussions for making matcha. The humorous nature of the video only added to its popularity, generating thousands of reactions and comments from surprised motorsport fans.
Credit has also been given to the social media team at Kai 36 for persuading Marko to take part in the video. Given his typically serious public image, many fans were impressed to see him embrace a lighter and more playful side.
While Formula 1 continues without him, Helmut Marko appears to be enjoying retirement on his own terms. Whether promoting Austrian motorsport, managing his hospitality businesses, or unexpectedly becoming the face of a viral matcha video, the former Red Bull mastermind has proven that life after Formula 1 can still be full of surprises.