Helmut Marko, the recently departed Red Bull adviser, has launched a scathing critique of former team principal Christian Horner, accusing him of engaging in “dirty games” to consolidate power within the team. Marko’s comments, made in an interview with Dutch publication De Limburger, challenge the official narrative surrounding his exit from the team.
The announcement of Marko’s departure came just months after Red Bull dismissed Horner as team principal. Marko, an 82-year-old Austrian, has been a pivotal figure in Red Bull’s Formula 1 success since the team’s inception in 2005, contributing to six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ titles. His role in nurturing young talent, including Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, has been widely acknowledged.
Marko’s Relationship with Horner
Marko’s relationship with Horner dates back to the early days of Red Bull Racing. He recommended Horner to Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, leading to Horner’s appointment as the youngest team principal in Formula 1 history. However, following Mateschitz’s death in 2022, Marko found himself embroiled in a power struggle, which he attributes to Horner’s ambitions.
“Together with Didi (Mateschitz), I founded Red Bull Racing in 2005. We appointed Horner as team principal, and I was there as a supervisor,” Marko stated. “In principle, the power was always in Austria – we made the decisions.”
Marko recalled a conversation with Horner at a party before the Austrian Grand Prix in 2022, where Horner allegedly predicted Mateschitz’s declining health and began aligning himself with Chalerm Yoovidhya, Red Bull’s Thai co-owner. “When Didi passed away later that year, Christian did everything he could to take control of the company with Yoovidhya’s support,” Marko claimed.
Allegations of “Dirty Games”
Marko further alleged that his final years working with Horner were “not pleasant” and accused him of playing “dirty games.” He referenced an incident involving comments attributed to him about Mexican driver Sergio Pérez, which he claims were fabricated by Horner’s camp.
“Do you remember when it was claimed that I said Mexicans were less focused than Dutch or German people during Sergio Pérez’s time? That was fabricated – possibly by them (Horner’s camp),” Marko asserted.
He also addressed rumors from 2024 suggesting he had spread misinformation about Red Bull’s engine development delays and potential loss of Ford as a partner. “I never said that,” Marko insisted, suggesting Horner used these rumors to attempt to have him suspended.
The Aftermath and Future Implications
Ultimately, Horner was dismissed as team principal in July. Marko claims that once Chalerm Yoovidhya realized Horner’s alleged deceit, he changed his stance. “More and more often, we were able to prove that Horner lied about all sorts of things,” Marko said. “Once Chalerm realised that too, he changed his mind.”
Regarding his own departure, Marko dismissed Red Bull’s official statement, which suggested he left voluntarily. “I don’t want to go into too much detail, but I didn’t read that press release full of nonsense,” he commented. “Let’s just say that a lot has changed at the team in a short period of time. You think you know people well, but in the end, that turns out not to be the case… I really won’t say more.”
Looking Forward
The fallout from these allegations could have significant implications for Red Bull’s future dynamics, particularly as the team navigates its post-Horner era. The team will need to manage internal relationships carefully to maintain its competitive edge in Formula 1.
As Red Bull continues to evolve, the motorsport world will be watching closely to see how these internal changes affect their performance on the track and their standing in the sport. The legacy of both Marko and Horner will undoubtedly be scrutinized as the team charts its new course.
