Red Bull Managing Director Oliver Mintzlaff has denied that Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are locked in a tense working relationship at the Formula 1 team.
Horner and Marko were central figures during Red Bull’s internal upheaval a year ago, leading to ongoing speculation about friction behind the scenes.
Despite Max Verstappen’s dominant form across 2023, uncertainty around his future and Red Bull’s recent challenges have continued to fuel rumours.
Speaking to Bild, Mintzlaff, who attended the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, sought to put those claims to bed, insisting that he has full trust in the team’s leadership.
“I have full confidence in every single employee,” he said. This also applies to our management team.
“Helmut and Christian both want maximum success and subordinate everything to it.”
Mintzlaff acknowledged that any long-standing relationship would naturally encounter ups and downs, but he was keen to emphasise the strength of their partnership.
“It should not be forgotten that the two will have their 400th race together at the next Grand Prix in Miami,” he pointed out, highlighting Marko’s role in appointing Horner back in 2005.
Red Bull tension inevitable
Amid the backdrop of Red Bull’s struggles across the opening rounds of the 2025 season, the stability of the team’s leadership has again come under closer scrutiny.
The Milton Keynes-based squad has endured its worst beginning to a campaign since 2019 as it trails a substantial 99 points behind McLaren with five rounds down.
Nevertheless, Mintzlaff stressed the importance of addressing any complications internally and continuing to operate with unity as Red Bull bids to get back on track.
“It is clear that with all the pressure, emotions and passion, emotions can sometimes boil up,” he added.
“But then you have to sit down together and discuss it behind closed doors. And that is what we do.”
Red Bull will head to Miami aiming to regroup and reassert themselves against a surging McLaren squad, which has begun the season with four victories in five races.
Verstappen remains a frontrunner, but the team will be keen to avoid further distractions as speculation continues around the future direction of both its drivers and management structure.
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