Max Verstappen has 'clear favourite' in Christian Horner and Helmut Marko storm, Ralf Schumacher claims

Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner — Photo: © LAT Images

F1 News & Gossip

Verstappen has 'clear favourite' in Horner and Marko storm, Schumacher claims

Reports of a power struggle between two of Red Bull's senior figures have surfaced

Cal Gaunt

Thursday 19 October 2023 09:57 Updated: 12:12

Ralf Schumacher believes Max Verstappen would prefer to see Christian Horner depart Red Bull rather than Helmut Marko, as rumours of a power struggle between two of the most senior figures at the team continue to spread.

Tensions have seemingly escalated inside the constructors' champions' camp after Marko's controversial remarks on Sergio Perez sparked uproar, with the veteran having aimed an apparent dig at the Mexican's background and apologised.

Reports from Brazil suggested that Horner was attempting to leverage this scandal to push Marko out, with the void left by the 2022 passing of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz creating something of a power vacuum within the team.

However, both Horner and Marko have denied any suggestions of a rift between them.

Tensions between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are believed to have been intensified by Marko's controversial comments about Sergio Perez

Ralf Schumacher believes Max Verstappen would 'not tolerate' Marko's departure and would sooner Christian Horner depart the team

Verstappen would not tolerate Marko departure

"The story is that Verstappen will not tolerate Marko‘s departure and would even prefer Horner to leave the team," Schumacher told Sky Germany.

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"Helmut chose Horner to lead Red Bull long before he entered Formula 1 and one has always been on the other’s side."

Marko, often regarded as a 'second father' to Verstappen, played a pivotal role in bringing the two-time champion to Red Bull.

Marko was impressed by Verstappen's remarkable performance in the 2014 European F3 Norisring round, where he secured three race wins and two poles.

He then contacted Verstappen's father, Jos, with the proposal of placing the then-16-year-old driver in F1 the following season.

Ralf Schumacher has weighed in on the apparent feud between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko

Horner-Marko rift extends

The disagreement between Marko and Horner is believed to extend beyond just Marko's comments about Perez. Marko is thought to have favoured Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri and advocated for replacing Perez, while Horner held contrasting opinions.

Marko also pulled for maintaining a strong relationship with Honda, including supporting Tsunoda at AlphaTauri, as they prepare for their engine split in 2026. However, Horner delayed confirming Tsunoda's extension for 2024.

Horner also leaned away from the sale of AlphaTauri, preferring to consolidate operations closer to Red Bull.