17 October 2023 , 17:00
784
0
Christian Horner insists his gratitude towards Helmut Marko means he will always have a place at Red Bull Racing.
Spurious reports last week from a Brazilian newspaper claimed there is a 'struggle for power' behind the scenes at Formula 1's top team. The report suggested team principal Horner is 'trying to axe' Marko, 80, who has been involved with Red Bull's racing arm since before it first bought an F1 team.
But, speaking exclusively to , Horner categorically denied that there is any truth to the rumour. "My relationship with Helmut goes back to 1996, when I first bought the trailer from him to compete in the Formula 3000 championship," he said.
"I then competed against his team and then, when he was responsible for the junior drivers at Red Bull, I contracted those drivers from him in Formula 3000 and won the championship. As a result of that, he recommended me and provided me with the opportunity, in front of Dietrich Mateschitz [the Red Bull founder who died last October].
"Without Helmut, I wouldn't be in the position that I am today. Like with the young drivers that he has given an opportunity, he also gave me that opportunity. We've always enjoyed a very strong and open relationship. Of course, there are things that we disagree on now and again, but I think that's healthy.
Sebastian Vettel warns of looming F1 ban and is "very worried about the future"
"We speak very regularly about all aspects. For Helmut, it's slightly different to how it used to be since the passing of his friend and colleague Dietrich, but he still has a very valuable role that he plays within the team and there is absolutely no intent or desire from me, or anyone within the team, to see that change.
"For as long as he wants to continue – he's still a very spritely 80-year-old – I don't see any change in the way that we work. Roles evolve and the business has evolved so much since we first came into the sport. Operationally, I run this on a day-to-day basis. For any significant decisions, of course we confer, whether it be drivers or strategic calls. It's a partnership that has worked for many, many years. Everybody has their role and function to play."
Marko's relationship with the owner Mateschitz was legendary and so the loss of his great friend will have been keenly felt. There was plenty of curiosity surrounding Marko's future as an adviser to the Red Bull team under its new leadership, but Horner feels there has been little impact upon how everyone involved with the team goes about their duties.
"How we work is just the same, nothing has changed on the day-to-day basis of how we go racing," he added. "The group is evolving without its leader but the company is in great health, great shape. We're on course for another record year this year. Life goes on and we continue to operate with the values that Dietrich embodied and instilled within the team.
"What we've achieved is arguably our most successful year ever which is a culmination of what has been happening across all 22 departments in the business. They all have to be working in harmony, otherwise you can never achieve the sort of results that we have. And, of course, we've got an outstanding driver [Max Verstappen] who is an incredible talent."