Helmut Marko could bring 83-point driver to Red Bull after ‘regaining’ power from Christian Horner

Follow us on Google Discover

Helmut Marko and Christian Horner have been involved in a long-running power struggle at Red Bull. And inevitably, the driver market has become a battleground.

Marko was behind the signing of Nyck de Vries for AlphaTauri in 2023, taking a gamble on a driver who’d only completed one race. That backfired, with the Dutchman falling well below expectations and losing his drive midway through the season.

This weakened Marko’s position, enabling Horner to place Daniel Ricciardo back at the junior team. The eight-time Grand Prix winner had returned as a reserve driver following his McLaren exit.

Marko held a ‘grudge’ against Ricciardo because he’d left Red Bull for Renault at the end of 2018. But Horner viewed him as a potential replacement for the underperforming Sergio Perez.

Ricciardo underwhelmed, losing out to Yuki Tsunoda in qualifying and scoring 10 points fewer across the first 18 races. Marko successfully lobbied for Liam Lawson to replace him at the final six races.

The Austrian has now ‘regained a bit of power’ behind the scenes, according to F1 Insider Ralf Bach. And this could be good news for one overlooked driver.

Empowered Helmut Marko could help Yuki Tsunoda bag Red Bull seat

According to Bach, Tsunoda is back in contention to partner Max Verstappen. He could be involved in an effective shoot-out with Lawson.

If the New Zealander has the edge and Perez continues to struggle, then he will likely graduate. But if Tsunoda can convincingly beat Lawson – something he failed to do during a five-race partnership in 2023 – he may be in line for a shock move.

Tsunoda has already defeated De Vries and Ricciardo and can strengthen his case further by seeing off the newcomer. He’s scored 83 points in his 81 race starts so far, having made his debut in 2021.

This would be a stunning turnaround for a driver who seemed to be slowly on the way out of Red Bull. A recent report claimed Tsunoda was bound for Aston Martin in 2026 as they link up with his backers Honda.

Bach said: “Who is the best teammate in the pool for Max Verstappen? That could be Perez if he delivers again. That could be Lawson. That could even be Tsunoda now.

“One thing is clear. Helmut Marko has regained a bit of power in this power struggle against Horner and has more to decide again.”

What Christian Horner had said about Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull chances

Horner has been steadfastly opposed to signing Tsunoda up to this point. He doesn’t believe he has the temperament to survive alongside Verstappen, who has brutally beaten his last three teammates in Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Perez.

Much will depend on the extent to which Horner is in the ascendancy. Privately, Horner has said Tsunoda has ‘no chance’, but that may no longer be true.

2016 world champion Nico Rosberg feels that Tsunoda still lacks consistency, which may also be a concern for Marko. He’s scored points at seven different races this year, but also finished 15th or lower four times.

Red Bull’s driver production line has faltered in recent times. The system that produced Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel has yet to find an entirely convincing alternative for Perez, whose mid-season spiral may have cost the team the constructors’ championship.