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Former Red Bull Racing chief advisor Helmut Marko has provided some astonishing details on what led to Christian Horner losing his position as team principal.
It’s remarkable to think that Max Verstappen came within two points of winning a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship this year, considering what was going on behind the scenes at Red Bull.
Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have famously not seen eye to eye throughout their time in Formula 1.
Christian Horner has done more for Red Bull in Formula 1 than Helmut Marko – prove us wrong
Marko and Horner didn’t always agree on drivers or the direction that the team should go behind the scenes.
After the British Grand Prix, Horner was sacked by Red Bull and replaced with Laurent Mekies, with the team’s improving fortunes coinciding with his arrival.
It was announced after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that Marko would be following out of the door at Red Bull, but the 82-year-old has now shared just how toxic their relationship got before his exit.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about former Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko
Helmut Marko details the ‘dirty tricks’ Christian Horner played at Red Bull
In an interview with De Telegraaf after Marko’s exit was confirmed, he was asked about the ‘heated’ exchanges he would have with Horner.
The former Red Bull was asked if it felt ‘like a victory’ when Horner departed, and he said: “No. We had to do something because performance on the track was lagging behind.
“Had we done that earlier, we would have gotten things back on track sooner this year, and Max would have become world champion. I am absolutely convinced of that.
“But those last few years with Horner were not pleasant. There were dirty tricks being played.
“Do you remember me saying during the Sergio Pérez era that Mexicans are less focused than Dutch or Germans? That was fabricated, probably by them.
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“Just like I supposedly spread the word in 2024 that the development of our engine was behind schedule and that we would lose Ford as our sponsor as a result.
“I never said that, but Horner wanted to use it to suspend me. Because Max stepped in at Jeddah, it didn’t happen.”
Marko was then asked about the support Horner lost from major shareholder, Chalerm Yoovidhya, as the season went on, and he continued: “More and more often, we were able to prove that Horner was lying about everything and anything.
“Once Chalerm realised that too, he came to his senses.”
READ MORE: Who is Christian Horner? All you need to know from Red Bull to net worth
How will Red Bull look back at Helmut Marko and Christian Horner’s legacy?
It’s almost impossible at this stage to know what Red Bull will do in 2026 beyond, with the team’s structure changing so substantially and a brand new ruleset to tackle in just a few months.
Horner is being linked with jobs in the F1 paddock as other teams look to replicate the success the team enjoyed under his stewardship.
However, his desire for a more influential role appears to be slowing down negotiations, although any manufacturer who struggles at the beginning of 2026 will quickly have one eye on the 52-year-old.
Marko brought through 17 drivers who ended up on the F1 grid during his time with Red Bull, an unprecedented figure in the sport.
However, Red Bull had question marks over Marko’s decision-making this year, with his pursuit of former McLaren junior Alex Dunne not going down well.
Horner and Marko were undoubtedly vital figures in the creation of one of Formula 1’s most impressive dynasties.
Whether Mekies can lead Red Bull into another era of domination with Verstappen by his side is going to be one of the most interesting storylines over the next few years.
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