In a stunning revelation, Red Bull Racing's long-time advisor, Helmut Marko, has publicly accused former team principal Christian Horner of orchestrating a bitter power struggle within the championship-winning Formula 1 team. The 82-year-old Austrian, who is set to leave Red Bull at the end of this year, has broken his silence on the internal tensions that have rocked the squad.
The Core of the Conflict: A Battle for Control
Marko, a pivotal figure who co-founded the Red Bull F1 team with Dietrich Mateschitz in 2005, claims the dynamics shifted dramatically in 2022. He recalls a party before the Austrian Grand Prix that year, where Mateschitz was present but in poor health. Marko alleges that Horner approached him and coldly stated, "He won't make it to the end of the year." According to Marko, this moment marked a turning point in Horner's behaviour.
"From that moment on, he started cosying up to Chalerm Yoovidhya," Marko told Dutch publication De Limburger. Yoovidhya is the Thai majority shareholder of Red Bull. Marko asserts that after Mateschitz's passing later in 2022, Horner actively sought to seize control with Yoovidhya's backing. "On behalf of 'Austria', I did everything I could to prevent that from happening," Marko stated, highlighting the geographical and philosophical divide within the team's leadership.
Allegations of "Dirty Games" and Controversial Claims
The final phase of their working relationship, according to Marko, was deeply uncomfortable and riddled with conflict. He did not mince words, alleging that "dirty games were being played." Marko also took the opportunity to deny several past controversies that he claims were fabricated to undermine him.
He specifically referenced the alleged remarks about Mexican driver Sergio Pérez's focus compared to Dutch or German drivers. "That was fabricated - possibly by them [Horner's camp]," Marko claimed. Furthermore, he denied spreading rumours about the team's 2024 engine development, suggesting that Horner attempted to use those claims as grounds to suspend him. Marko credited reigning world champion Max Verstappen with intervening to prevent that suspension.
Contested Exit and a Legacy of Tension
Contradicting the official narrative, Marko disputed Red Bull's statement suggesting his departure was a mutual or personal choice. He bluntly labelled the press release as "full of nonsense," though he acknowledged being consulted before its publication. His exit follows just months after Christian Horner was dismissed from his role as team principal, painting a picture of ongoing turmoil at the pinnacle of Red Bull Racing.
Throughout these explosive allegations, Christian Horner has maintained a stance of silence, declining to comment on Marko's claims. The public airing of these grievances sheds unprecedented light on the internal strife that plagued one of Formula 1's most dominant teams following the loss of its visionary founder, Dietrich Mateschitz.
