In a startling revelation, former Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has openly criticized former team principal Christian Horner, accusing him of engaging in “dirty games” to consolidate power within the team. Marko’s comments were made in an interview with Dutch publication De Limburger, where he also challenged aspects of Red Bull’s official statement regarding his departure.
Marko’s exit was announced last week, only a few months after Horner was dismissed as team principal. The 82-year-old Austrian has been a pivotal figure in Red Bull’s Formula 1 success since their entry in 2005, contributing to six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ titles.
The Power Struggle Within Red Bull
Marko’s relationship with Horner dates back to Formula 3000, and he was instrumental in recommending Horner to Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz as the youngest team principal in F1 history. However, the dynamics shifted following Mateschitz’s death in 2022, which Marko claims led to a power struggle within the team.
“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 alleged that Horner attempted to seize control of the company with the support of Chalerm Yoovidhya, Red Bull’s Thai co-owner, following Mateschitz’s passing. “Christian did everything he could to take control of the company with Yoovidhya’s support,” Marko claimed.
Accusations of “Dirty Games”
Marko further accused Horner of playing “dirty games,” citing instances where he felt Horner’s camp fabricated stories to undermine him. “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,” Marko said.
He also addressed rumors from 2024 suggesting he had spread false information about Red Bull’s engine development, which he believes Horner used as leverage to attempt to have him suspended. “I never said that,” Marko insisted, adding that support from Max Verstappen prevented his suspension.
Red Bull’s Official Statement Challenged
Red Bull’s official statement suggested Marko chose to leave the team, a narrative he disputes. “I don’t want to go into too much detail, but I didn’t read that press release full of nonsense,” Marko remarked. “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.”
Implications for Red Bull’s Future
The departure of both Marko and Horner marks a significant shift in Red Bull’s leadership dynamics. As the team navigates this transitional period, the focus will likely be on maintaining their competitive edge in Formula 1. The internal power struggles highlighted by Marko’s comments may prompt further changes in the team’s management structure.
Experts suggest that Red Bull’s ability to continue its success will depend on how effectively the new leadership can manage internal dynamics and maintain the team’s strategic direction. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Red Bull can sustain its dominance in the sport.
As the dust settles, the motorsport world will be watching closely to see how Red Bull adapts to these changes and whether the team can preserve its legacy of excellence in Formula 1.
