Helmut Marko invests in AI start-up enabling posthumous messages amid F1 fallout

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Helmut Marko, the former Red Bull motorsport adviser, has taken a surprising step into the tech world by investing in an Austrian artificial intelligence start-up that allows users to leave personal messages for loved ones after death. The company, Lebensstimmen GmbH, which operates internationally under the brand Words That Remain, offers a digital platform for end-of-life planning, including an AI eulogist designed to assist grieving families. Marko’s involvement was announced at a launch event in Vienna on October 20.

The 83-year-old Austrian, who stepped down from his role at Red Bull at the end of the 2025 season after more than two decades, linked his investment to his long-standing embrace of technology in motorsport. He said that motorsport’s success came from the courage to adopt new technologies for human benefit, a philosophy he sees reflected in Lebensstimmen’s mission. The start-up’s platform enables users to record or write messages during their lifetime, which are then delivered posthumously to designated recipients. It also offers tools to help families compose their own tributes, with the AI “Fabertar” explicitly labelled as a support tool, not a replacement for clergy or speakers.

Marko’s transition into AI entrepreneurship comes amid ongoing public attention to his recent remarks and relationships within Formula 1. Earlier this month, Marko sparked controversy by suggesting that Mercedes driver George Russell, currently trailing his teammate Kimi Antonelli by 123 points in the 2026 championship, would not regain “number one” status or another title shot. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff swiftly rejected this view, affirming Russell’s talent and potential to win future championships if provided with a competitive car. Wolff acknowledged the psychological challenge Russell faces competing against a rising star but insisted the driver’s credentials remain intact.

Meanwhile, Marko’s former Red Bull colleague Christian Horner has been embroiled in his own disputes, publicly criticizing Marko for his role in Horner’s dismissal from Red Bull mid-2025 and for failing to offer condolences after Horner’s personal loss. These comments drew rebuke from former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, who called Horner’s remarks “tasteless” and lamented the damage to Horner’s legacy given their shared success. Marko dismissed Horner’s accusations as “a collection of untruths.”

Lebensstimmen’s founders, Philipp Berkessy, Markus Pinter, and Lukas Stern, plan to launch the platform fully in Austria and internationally in early 2027. Marko’s backing signals a notable shift from the high-octane world of Formula 1 to a more contemplative, tech-driven venture focused on legacy and remembrance. As the 2026 F1 season nears its conclusion with the Mexican Grand Prix looming, Marko’s AI investment adds an unexpected chapter to his post-Red Bull career.