Red Bull Racing management tensions, Christian Horner, Helmut Marko, Dietrich Mateschitz

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has denied reports he is trying to oust Red Bull Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko from Formula 1.

Reports in Brazilian and German media during the week suggest that Horner has spent the last year attempting to take full control of the energy drink brand’s F1 operations, which include both Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri.

But Automatic image reported that three-time champion Max Verstappen had thrown his weight behind Marko, linking his future with the team to keeping the Austrian in the garage.

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Although Horner has played a major role in the company’s F1 activities since entering the sport as a constructor in 2005, ultimate power has been wielded by Marko, a long-time confidant of the former Red CEO Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz.

Mateschitz died in October last year, creating a momentary power vacuum.

Germany Automatic image reported that Horner then ingratiated himself with Thailand’s majority stake in Red Bull in a power play aimed at wresting full control of the F1 business from Marko.

It also reported that Horner had published articles in the English media suggesting that Marko no longer had the trust of the company in his attempt to campaign for change.

The German magazine added that Verstappen’s management had since intervened, signaling that the star driver would be eliminated if Marko was left out of the team.

Speaking to UK representatives Daily MirrorHorner denied intending to push Marko out of the company, insisting they had a strong, long-term working relationship.

“My relationship with Helmut dates back to 1996, when I first bought the trailer from him to participate in the Formula 3000 championship,” he said.

“I then competed against his team and then, when he was head of junior drivers at Red Bull, I entered his drivers into Formula 3000 and won the championship.

“Thanks to that, he recommended me and gave me the opportunity, ahead of Dietrich Mateschitz.

“Without Helmut, I would not be in the position I am in today. As with the young drivers to whom he gave an opportunity, he also gave me this opportunity.

“We have always had a very strong and open relationship. Of course, there are things we disagree on from time to time, but I think that’s healthy.”

Horner said Marko still played an important role in managing both teams.

“He still plays a very valuable role within the team, and there is absolutely no intention or desire on my part or anyone within the team to see that change,” he said .

“As long as he wants to continue – he’s still a very lively octogenarian – I don’t see any change in the way we work.

“Operationally, I manage this on a daily basis. For any important decision, we of course consult together, whether it concerns orientations or strategic calls. It is a partnership that has been operating for many years. Everyone has their role and function to play.

Oliver Mintzlaff, the former head of Bundesliga club Leipzig, has taken board-level responsibility for Red Bull’s involvement in F1 since Mateschitz’s death, taking on the role of CEO of corporate projects and new investments from Red Bull.

Automatic image reported that Mintzlaff had personally expressed support for Marko’s continued role in the paddock.

Marko also denied there was any threat to his position in Formula 1, which he is committed to holding until at least the end of next year.

“There has been a lot of speculation in the press recently which should not be taken seriously,” he said. Automatic image. “We should all keep calm now and think about our core business. It’s sport, not politics.

“I have a contract with Red Bull until the end of next year. We’ll see after. But it is up to me to decide if and how things will continue.

“I’ve definitely received a lot of support recently and it’s made me very happy.”

Both Automatic image and that of Brazil Globo reported that AlphaTauri’s reorganization was a major flashpoint in the alleged power play.

Longtime team boss Franz Tost will leave his post at the end of the year, and Horner and Marko are reportedly racing to fill his position with allies.

Horner reportedly wanted to recruit Bradley Lord, head of communications for Mercedes, to this position. Lord is an increasingly high-profile figure at Mercedes, where he occasionally takes on some of Toto Wolff’s responsibilities when the Austrian boss is away from the paddock.

Unable to get Lord through, Horner is said to have sought out FIA man Peter Bayer, only to discover that Marko had already lined him up for the different job of CEO of AlphaTauri, with Laurent Mekies then plucked from Ferrari as the new head of the company. ‘team.

A subsequent clash was sparked by Marko’s racial sledging of Sergio Pérez earlier in the year.

Red Bull Racing initially refused to respond to the comments before Marko publicly apologized, with Horner emphasizing that the advisor was not an employee of Red Bull Racing and therefore not his responsibility.

“His contract is with [Austrian company] Red Bull GmbH,” Horner said, distancing himself from his Red Bull Racing co-director. “He is not an employee, he is not on the payroll of Red Bull Racing.”

Some have suggested that public distancing was an attempt to put the ball back in Red Bull’s court to decide Marko’s future.