'Verstappen has been clear: If Marko leaves, he leaves too'

'Horner commits coup within Red Bull'

Following the death of Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022, a power struggle is said to have broken out at Red Bull. Around the possible sale of AlphaTauri, Horner is said to have claimed more power within the group. This would be at the expense of the say that team advisor Marko has with both Red Bull teams. Marko came out and denied the rumours. The Austrian said he would decide on his own when to leave the winning F1 team.

Horner also responded by denying the rumours. The Red Bull chiefs possibly felt compelled to explain themselves after Germany's Sky Sport further fuelled the rumours with claims from former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher. Horner is said to want Marko out of the way with a view to gaining more influence at the group.

'Verstappen chooses Marko'

Auto Bild says it has investigated the case and knows that Horner is planning a coup. Horner is said to be on good terms with Red Bull's Thai owners, who hold 51% of the shares. The Briton is also said to have leaked to the media that the Thai side of the company does not trust Marko and therefore would like him gone from Red Bull. The acting Red Bull boss on the European side, Oliver Mintzlaff, is also said to be on Horner's side.

One possible saving grace for Marko and the one who could prevent Horner's alleged coup at Red Bull is Max Verstappen. Auto Bild lists the three-time F1 champion as a possible stop on the door for Horner and the one who can convince Mintzlaff to make rigorous decisions to end the fight. Schumacher also managed to report that Verstappen would side with Marko. The medium writes: "Auto Bild has learned from a reliable source that Verstappen has made it loud and clear in a personal conversation with both the Thai boss and with Mintzlaff that in case Marko has to leave he would also leave."

'AlphaTauri is pivotal in Horner's coup'

In deciding not to sell AlphaTauri, Horner not only asked for more say in the team, the Briton also allegedly tried to appoint a friendly team boss. So reports German F1-insider.com. Horner allegedly wanted Mercedes press chief Bradley Lord to become the new team boss at AlphaTauri and Lord apparently applied. When that did not seem to work out, Horner set his sights on former FIA employee Peter Bayer.

Marko appears to have, intentionally or not, gotten in Horner's way of appointing a confidant at AlphaTauri. The initial talks between Bayer and AlphaTauri were conducted by Marko and not Horner. Marko protected the interests of the junior program in these talks, but the Austrian may have had other plans, according to the medium. Marko was of the opinion that Bayer should not become the sole chief at AlphaTauri. According to Auto Bild, this was a major annoyance of the Red Bull team boss.