Horner on often outspoken Marko: 'Nightmare for any PR manager'

"He's a communication manager's nightmare," Horner joked in the ESPN podcast F1 Unlapped. Some opinions Marko would be better off keeping to himself, and this is also controlled by the team of spokespeople. However, he seems (consciously or unconsciously) to have little concern for that. "So when Helmut goes rogue, then you guys only have the problem, and you'll get a headline", he laughs.

Marko is straightforward, which is precisely what Horner finds strong. "He just calls it as he sees it. He just will tell you exactly what he thinks, which in many respects is very similar to how Nicki Lauda was. There the same generation, the same make up in many ways." Marko and Lauda, who was closely involved with Mercedes as an advisor before his death, were very good friends.

Not only the media knows that Marko is often harsh in his statements, but the Red Bull juniors are also all too aware that Marko often does not mince his words. "He's a tough operator with the junior drivers, but if they can't survive Helmut, they'll never survive Formula 1," Horner said of them.

Marko, despite his 80 years, is still pursuing talent. Guillaume Rocquelin is officially in charge of the Red Bull junior team, but Marko contributes a lot. "He's 80 years young, he's still watching every Formula 3 session, every F2 session, every split time, and following the young talent religiously. So yeah, I've always had a very straightforward and good relationship with him. Straightforward is a pretty good word for Helmut." Horner praised.