Christian Horner accused of deception as Red Bull power feud explodes publicly
A bitter split at Red Bull is now playing out in public, with Helmut Marko accusing Christian Horner of dishonesty and internal manipulation, according to an interview with Dutch newspaper De Limburger.
What began as a quiet leadership reset has turned into a damaging exchange of allegations between two figures who helped shape one of Formula 1’s most successful teams.
Sudden exits close a dominant era
Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was dismissed shortly after this year’s British Grand Prix, ending a tenure that stretched back to 2005 at the Milton Keynes based operation. His removal followed months of intense scrutiny, both internally and externally.
Earlier this week, Red Bull GmbH confirmed that long serving senior advisor Helmut Marko would also depart after more than 20 years with the organisation. According to Red Bull GmbH, the decision was presented as Marko stepping away voluntarily, a characterisation he later disputed.
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Together, Horner and Marko were central to Red Bull’s rise, overseeing multiple drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
Allegations of a behind the scenes struggle
In comments published by De Limburger, Marko alleged that Horner sought to consolidate power within Red Bull as founder Dietrich Mateschitz’s health declined in 2022.
According to Marko, Horner began “cosying up” to Chalerm Yoovidhya, the Thai businessman who holds a controlling stake in Red Bull GmbH. Marko rejected the idea that the situation was driven by personal animosity, saying, “That’s how it’s always been described in the media, but it wasn’t personal.”
He added that decision making authority traditionally remained in Austria, stating, “In principle, the power always lay in Austria; we made the decisions.”
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Marko also recalled a conversation from 2022 in which Horner allegedly said of Mateschitz, “He won’t make it to the end of the year.” Following Mateschitz’s death later that year, Marko claimed Horner attempted to take control with Yoovidhya’s backing.
Claims of misinformation and internal conflict
Marko further alleged that Horner fostered a culture of internal conflict during his final years in charge. “Those last few years with Horner were not pleasant. There were dirty games being played,” he told De Limburger.
He denied responsibility for several past controversies, including remarks made about Sergio Perez in 2023 that led to widespread criticism and a formal apology. Marko suggested the backlash was amplified beyond its original context.
He also rejected claims that he spread rumours in 2024 about Red Bull’s engine programme lagging behind schedule and jeopardising its partnership with Ford. “I never said that,” Marko said, adding that Horner attempted to use the situation as grounds to suspend him.
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A fractured leadership laid bare
Marko openly challenged Red Bull GmbH’s public account of his departure. While CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said the company “deeply regretted” Marko’s decision to leave, Marko described the official statement as “full of nonsense.”
According to Marko, he was forced to personally inform Max Verstappen of his exit, suggesting he had little control over the timing or announcement.
He also alleged that Horner eventually lost the support of Chalerm Yoovidhya due to repeated untruths, though he did not provide specific examples. “We were increasingly able to prove that Horner was lying about all sorts of things,” Marko said.
The interview, according to De Limburger, exposed the depth of division within Red Bull’s leadership, revealing how internal fractures persisted even as on track success continued.
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Sources, De Limburger, Red Bull GmbH, PlanetF1 reporting
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