Helmut Marko Breaks Silence on Christian Horner’s Shock Red Bull Axe

Helmut Marko has finally spoken up on Christian Horner's sudden exit from Red Bull as he bode farewell to the outgoing Team Principal.

Helmut Marko Breaks Silence on Christian Horner’s Shock Red Bull Axe

Christian Horner, Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)

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Christian Horner has been officially sacked from Red Bull as the team navigates through a very difficult phase. Horner has led the team through extreme ups and downs since the Austrian outfit joined Formula 1 in 2005. However, in the wake of recent events, including but not limited to the 51-year-old’s alleged sexually transgressive investigation saga, the board of directors at Red Bull GmbH decided to let him go. Helmut Marko, who has been an integral part of the team since 2005, has spoken on the sudden decision.

Helmut Marko has been the advisor at Red Bull since the team acquired Jaguar to join the F1 grid. Marko’s close ties with Max Verstappen enabled Milton Keynes to acquire the prodigy when he was very young. However, despite the 82-year-old’s commendable work within the Austrian outfit, there was an alleged power struggle between him and Christian Horner since the past couple of years.

Now, with Christian Horner gone, it is safe to assume that Helmut Marko’s influence within the team and their decision-making has increased significantly. Speaking on Horner’s sudden axe from Red Bull, Marko reminisced over the past two decades of them working together. The 82-year-old was appreciative of the immense success that the two gained in both Formula 1 and Formula 3000 since 2005. Due to this, the Austrian sincerely thanked the outgoing team principal.

Christian and I have worked together very successfully for over 20 years – both in Formula 1 and in Formula 3000. I would like to sincerely thank Christian for that.

Helmut Marko said, via @redbullracing/X

Marko reflected on all the incredible successes that he achieved at Red Bull, with Christian Horner present all the time. The 82-year-old pointed out how Horner and he honed some great drivers within the team, with two dominant world champions in Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. As such, the Austrian reassured that this had been the way of operations at Milton Keynes, as it continues to be their goal.

During this time, we were able to celebrate an incredible number of outstanding achievements. We helped develop two World Drivers’ Champions and several Grand Prix winners. That has always been – and still is – the Red Bull way.

Helmut Marko added

Helmut Marko still hopeful of ‘fighting’ for drivers’ title with Max Verstappen

The 2025 season has been very troublesome for Max Verstappen at Red Bull due to their extreme performance issues. The Dutchman, despite winning two races this year, is nowhere near the leading pack in the drivers’ standings. Verstappen is adrift of the championship lead to Oscar Piastri by 69 points, as the gap is only widening each passing race. However, Helmut Marko is still hopeful of fighting for the fifth title for the 27-year-old, no matter the current struggles.

Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)

Helmut Marko asserted that there were still a dozen races pending in the 2025 season. Due to this, Marko reassured that Red Bull with Max Verstappen would continue to give it their all and fight for the drivers’ championship. However, even the 82-year-old accepted that they would give full efforts only until a title is mathematically possible, as the Dutchman has already given up on the dream.

As for the current sporting situation: there are still twelve races to go, and we will continue to fight for the Drivers’ Championship as long as it’s mathematically possible.

Helmut Marko noted

Red Bull has a lot of work pending in order to start fighting for race wins like before. As Laurent Mekies takes over Milton Keynes, he would have to fire on all cylinders to return the team to its race-winning pace. Despite the Austrian outfit readily working to improve their pace, rumors of Max Verstappen looking to leave the team and join Mercedes continue to grow in number.

Read More: Ex-F1 Team Boss Confused over Christian Horner’s Sudden Red Bull Exit