Red Bull F1 motorsport adviser Helmut Marko says he hopes F1 doesn’t turn into a battle of accountants as a result of new budget caps and strict rules on spending within the sport.
F1’s cost controls limit spending to around $150 million (depending on the number of races per season). With inflation soaring around the world, this already stringent limit is getting tighter by the minute.
So the accountants hired to keep track of F1 teams’ finances are becoming some of the sport’s most valuable players.
“The finance department has been significantly expanded,” Helmut Marko told Motorsport-Total.com.
“Previously, the technicians only had to register the required amount, and if it was outside the business plan, they had to coordinate somehow with Red Bull in Salzburg.”
“Now, working with our finance team determines the updates and the scale of the updates.”
“But it’s not true that the finance guy says ‘there can’t be more updates since then’. Team management sees it and says ‘we still need an update’ and then elsewhere. I need to save it
“It’s a process the FIA is learning, it’s a process we’re learning, but I hope it doesn’t end up being an accountant’s championship.”
Retaining staff under these circumstances has proven particularly difficult.
“At Red Bull Racing we have cut staff, but we still have Red Bull Technology,” explained Helmut Marko.
“Then people are moved and given other jobs.”
“We have a hypercar, we are in the America’s Cup, we have some projects that we have staff that we don’t want to lose.”
“We set up Red Bull Powertrains last year. The Mercedes engine plant is probably 20 or 30 years old. So is Ferrari. We need to find an adjustment to the cost cap.”
Red Bull currently uses an F1 engine developed by Honda in Japan and shipped as a sealed unit, but new F1 engine regulations could be introduced in 2026 and the team could partner with Porsche. If so, it will change.
“Currently, Red Bull Powertrains has 300 employees,” explained Helmut Marko.
“If new manufacturers come, we can cooperate. It’s also a plus point that they can use our equipment.”
“As soon as a new manufacturer comes in, we have a new engine factory with six functioning test benches. Everything there is top of the line.”
That said, there are some high-profile figures from Red Bull Racing’s technical department missing. Among them is former aerodynamics chief Dan Fallows, who has moved to Aston’s Martin F1.
Helmut Marko wants such departures to be minimized as much as possible.
“We have a solid team, little fluctuation. Someone leaves, but it was not fundamental to our aero department.”
“It’s been possible because we have a very solid and passionate group, and we have great finance people who regulate it with budget caps.”
Helmut Marko also gave an example of how the current difficult global economic situation due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a huge impact on F1.
“Even if the X amount were granted, it would not be possible to build it now because the necessary materials are not available. There is a shortage on the world market,” said Helmut Marko.
“AVL[Powertrain Systems Specialist]cannot offer just the immediate problem due to the lack of steel. It is almost impossible to find a construction company. I need to put it in
“We were lucky to get most of the construction work done before the war started.
