Helmut Marko

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Helmut Marko
Nationality	Austrian
World Championship Career
Active years	1971-72
Team(s)	BRM
Races	10
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podium finishes	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0
First race	1971 German Grand Prix
Last race	1972 French Grand Prix

Dr. Helmut Marko (born April 27, 1943 in Graz) is a former Formula One driver from Austria.

As friend of Jochen Rindt, he entered racing, and eventually participated in 9 Grands Prix, debuting on 15 August 1971 for the BRM team. He scored no F1 championship points.

However, he had more success in endurance racing, winning the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving a Martini-Porsche 917K with Gijs van Lennep. During that year, they set a new overall distance record which is still unbeaten.

Despite being concerned about the lack of safety at the Targa Florio, he drove the fastest laps the mountains of Sicily in order to catch up several minutes, eventually losing by a mere seconds. On 21 May 1972, Helmut Marko set the all-time race lap record of the 720km event in an Alfa Romeo 33 (race car) at 33'41 min, at an average of 128,253 km/h.

A few weeks later on 2 July, during the 1972 French Grand Prix, a stone thrown from the car ahead, due to "cutting the corners" at the Charade Circuit which had no curbs at the time, hit Marko in the eye as his visor got pierced. The injury damaged his eye, leaving him partially blind, ending his racing career.

Marko is also a barrister, and opened two hotels near Graz after his racing career ended. Later, he returned to motorsports to become a manager for Gerhard Berger and Karl Wendlinger, before running his own Formula 3 and Formula 3000 team, RSM Marko. Currently, Marko is in charge of the Red Bull driver training program.

[edit] Complete Formula One Results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Team	WDC	Points
1971	Ecurie Bonnier	RSA	ESP	MON	DUT	FRA	GBR	GER DNS	AUT 11	ITA Ret	CAN 12	USA 13		BRM	-	0
1972	BRM	ARG 10	RSA 14	ESP	MON 8	BEL 10	FRA Ret	GBR	GER	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA	BRM	-	0

Preceded by Hans Herrmann Richard Attwood

Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1971 Helmut Marko Gijs van Lennep

Succeeded by Henri Pescarolo Graham Hill