Red Bull Formula 1 boss Christian Horner admits that Helmut Marko’s shock claim that he could be suspended ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix “surprised” him.
Red Bull’s ongoing excellence on the track has been overshadowed by the headlines associated with the fallout from the investigation into allegations against Horner.
Although Horner was exonerated from accusations of inappropriate behaviour, Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, claimed his presence could “tear apart” Red Bull’s team.
Following reports that the complainant had been suspended, Marko made the staggering revelation that he wasn’t certain that he would remain in his role at Red Bull.
However, the Austrian advisor said ahead of the race in Jeddah that things had been resolved, with Horner conceding that the situation had come unexpected to him.
“I think the rumours about suspension were as news to the team as it was to anybody else, so we were quite surprised to hear that,” Horner commented.
“Helmut is a contractor to Red Bull GmbH, so it was an issue between them and we weren’t part of that discussion.
“I’ve known Helmut since 1996. He’s played an important role over the years. That role has evolved over the years. I’ve known him a very, very long time.
“At 81 years of age, he’s still obviously motivated about Formula 1, which is a positive thing.”
Amid rumours suggesting otherwise, Horner clarified that his relationship with Marko was “no issue”, adding: “I think that he’s always outspoken, but that’s Helmut.”
“Everybody has a role to play, whatever that role is, and I think that this team has been incredibly successful,” Horner said when questioned on Marko’s importance.
“It’s had tremendous stability for a long period of time and that has been one of the keys to our success.”
Marko’s role in Verstappen being prized into the Red Bull stable and his recent run of success has bolstered the bond between the Dutchman’s camp and the Austrian.
When he was asked about Marko’s call that he could leave, Verstappen, who has been linked with a Mercedes move, suggested that it would impact his Red Bull future.
But while Horner mentioned that the three-time champion’s input is taken onboard, he outlined that choices made involving Red Bull are made in the team’s interests.
“Of course we have a very good relationship with Max and we listen to whatever Max has to say,” Horner said.
“But the team will always make the right decisions for the team. Whether that’s strategically, whether that’s in a race, whether that’s for the future, whether that’s on an engine choice, on a sponsorship choice, the team will always do what is right for the team.”
Pressed on whether Verstappen’s comments influenced the decision-making on Marko, Horner retorted: There has been no decision making process around Helmut, so I’m not quite sure where the rumours permeated from. It’s not something that I’ve been involved in.”
Red Bull’s success on the track has not been interrupted from the disruption in the background as the Austrian outfit recorded a second consecutive 1-2 in Jeddah.
Horner, who condemned the “intrusion on his family” earlier in the weekend, has reiterated that the team remains united and fixated on retaining its championships.
“We’re focused on winning and that’s what we do well and that’s what we’ve done today,” Horner declared. “That’s how we’ve started this season.
“I think that obviously I’m aware of all the noise, but it hasn’t distracted the team from the job. We are one team.
“There’s speculation about Helmut. Helmut doesn’t work for me, he doesn’t work for Red Bull Racing, he works for Red Bull GmbH.
“But I think you can see that there’s a very clear route that he’s looking forward and wanting to continue this incredible winning streak that we’ve been on.”
