Horner denies involvement in decision on Marko: 'All rumours'

After the clear words of Max Verstappen, who fiercely defended Helmut Marko following reports of a possible suspension of the Red Bull adviser, Red Bull Racing seems to be finally heading for calm within the Formula 1 team. However, talks are still scheduled, including between Marko and Thai majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya. Christian Horner stressed that everyone, especially Marko, has an important role within the Austrian team.

Horner on Marko and Red Bull

Horner stresses that he has known Marko for many years and states that there are no problems between the two. "My relationship with Helmut is.... Well, there is no issue. I think that he's always outspoken, but that's Helmut," said the Red Bull Racing team boss at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit after the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen expressed his support for Helmut Marko in very clear terms. Asked if Horner was involved in the decision-making about the Red Bull advisor, he replied in the negative: "There has been no decision making process around Helmut. So, I'm not quite sure where the rumors permeated from. It’s not something that I've been involved in."

Horner: 'Everyone has a key role at Red Bull'

Horner stresses that everyone at Red Bull has a key role to play. "Max is part of the team, Helmut is part of the team. I lead this team. And everybody has a key role," he says. Asked specifically about Marko's influence on the team's success, the team principal didn't go fully into detail.

"Everybody has a role to play, whatever that role is. I think that this team has been incredibly successful. It's had tremendous stability for a long period of time. And that has been one of the keys to our success. Helmut is a consultant, advisor to Red Bull, and, of course, the young driver program sits clearly under his control."

Red Bull CEOs Oliver Mintzlaff and Franz Watzlawick were present in Jeddah to support the Austrian F1 team. "Both the two that were here have been very, very supportive. And, yeah, it was good to see them coming and supporting the team," Horner concluded.