Helmut Marko denies rumors of his exit from Red Bull over tension with Christian Horner, claims he makes the final decision over his future

Marko finally speaks over recent rumors surrounding the dominant team on the grid, Red Bull.

Helmut Marko denies rumors of his exit from Red Bull over tension with Christian Horner, claims he makes the final decision over his future

Helmut Marko and Christian Horner (Via: IMAGO)

Red Bull was recently involved in a controversy involving team boss Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko. Rumors claimed that Helmut Marko’s future with the team was dithered. Helmut Marko has since broken his silence over this controversy and shared his thoughts with the media.

Helmut Marko’s job at Red Bull was to be decided in a team meeting scheduled this week. But Marko has hence denied these claims and said that there was no such meeting over his career at Red Bull. As reported by crash.net, Marko said, “There is no summit this week.” Marko also has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2024. Pointing this out, Marko said, “I have a contract until the end of next year.” And when Marko was asked about him potentially being fired from the team, he added, “When and how I stop, when [it] is over, I decide and not, for example, Mr. Christian Horner.”

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Following the death of the co-founder of Red Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz, it was also rumored that there was a power-hungry battle between the two. Marko answered vaguely to this and said that there were people in the team trying to realign the powers. “Through the new constellation [following the death of Dietrich Mateschitz], everything is different. People are trying to re-line the powers.”

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Helmut Marko commented on other developments within the grid

The news was also moving around the paddock that Sergio Perez was reportedly given an ‘ultimatum’ to finish P2 within the driver’s standings lest he be fired from the team. Marko has further denied this claim and added that since they win too much, ‘incredible things’ are put in the world.

Oracle Red Bull Racing's Dr. Helmut Marko & Max Verstappen.
Oracle Red Bull Racing’s Dr. Helmut Marko & Max Verstappen. (Via IMAGO)

Marko also appreciated Max Verstappen for his performance. He called his performance ‘unbelievable’ and also added how he is ‘always surprised’ by Verstappen. He claimed that Verstappen has no weak aspect to his racing. The advisor also said that part of Verstappen’s success could be attributed to his father, Jos Verstappen, who was hard on him.

Helmut Marko also talked about Fernando Alonso’s performance this season. He coined Alonso as his favorite racer on the grid. Marko also added how Alonso has a winner’s mindset and called him a ‘role model’ for the kids. Alonso is the only person capable of coming close to replicating Verstappen’s performance this season, as said by the 80-year-old veteran.

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