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Red Bull Racing internal leadership and history disputes

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2026-10-24 12:22 UTC → 2026-10-24 17:05 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Internal disputes and reflections have emerged within Red Bull Racing regarding team history and leadership. Senior advisor Helmut Marko has dismissed claims made in Christian Horner’s autobiography, ‘Drive’, calling Horner’s account of the recruitment of Max Verstappen an “absolute lie”. Marko asserts he was the primary figure responsible for signing Verstappen, contradicting Horner’s allegation that Marko opposed the move and criticized Verstappen’s father. In his memoir, Horner confirmed that he and Marko no longer maintain a relationship following his departure from the team in 2025, which he described as a “sudden and quite brutal” process. Horner criticized Marko for allegedly working to undermine his authority, pushing for his dismissal, and leaking internal operational data to the media. Marko has countered these claims, describing the book as a “collection of untruths of such a low calibre” and an “embarrassment.” Horner’s autobiography also addressed his professional relationship with designer Adrian Newey. Horner claimed that during the 2014 transition to V6 hybrid engines, Newey intended to ‘abandon ship’ at the first sign of adversity. Newey, now the managing technical partner at Aston Martin, contested this, stating his frustration stemmed from Renault’s perceived lack of intention to resolve power unit deficiencies. Following the United States Grand Prix, Newey reiterated his stance on the 2014 period, explaining his frustration was directed at the engine manufacturer rather than a desire to leave the team. Despite the historical friction described in Horner’s book, Newey maintained that he and Horner “remain friends.” Max Verstappen has declined to comment on the autobiography, stating he prefers to focus on the present rather than revisiting past events.

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