Red Bull Contentpool
General
Marko speaks out again: Why does the Red Bull advisor do that?
- Ludo van Denderen
At Red Bull Racing's office in Milton Keynes, an interview that Helmut Marko gave to a German website last week must undoubtedly have caused some surprise. There, the Austrian team's external advisor stated that Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson are candidates for the seat next to Max Verstappen in '25. A striking statement, given surely Sergio Perez has a contract for the upcoming season?
No one can deny the important role Marko played in growing Red Bull into the powerhouse the team are today. It was Marko who, as the right-hand man of the Dietrich Mateschitz who passed away in 2022, was able to sign the greatest talents from everywhere today as well as get them a place in Formula 1. No doubt Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen would have found their way to F1 at some point, but Marko deserves credit for daring to give them an opportunity at Toro Rosso at an early age.
Marko's role not entirely clear anymore
Since Mateschitz's death, Marko's influence has waned - as a result of the 81-year-old's internal battle with team principal Christian Horner. The patron of the paddock is not leaving, partly because Max Verstappen absolutely does not want to lose him. But where within the organisation could he still really make his own mark is the big question. Who drives which F1 car from the Red Bull family - his main task for a long time - now seems to be a choice that Horner in particular makes.
As it is well known, Horner is a fan of Sergio Perez, who committed his future to Red Bull Racing under his guidance earlier this year. At the time, it was reported that it was for a two-year contract, although it is now clear that it is for one year with the option for Red Bull to part ways with the Mexican after that. But a contract is in place for 2025, something Horner has already regularly said when he was asked about the Mexican's future.
Marko draws his own plan
Apparently, that means little in Marko's eyes. Although Horner tells media outlets that Perez will drive for Red Bull in '25 alongside Verstappen, the external advisor leaves ambiguity about that time and again. See the interview this week, in which he indicated that Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda are being evaluated for getting a promotion to Red Bull next season. Moreover, he mentioned Tsunoda's name as an option, while it is also well-known that the Japanese driver was never considered a serious contender for a spot at Red Bull Racing by Horner.
Why does Marko keep doing that, making such remarkable statements? After all, it is by no means the first time. Is it to put and keep all the drivers on edge? That is a possibility, although Marko also knows that the pressure on them can become so great that it actually paralyses them. Especially in Perez's case and with an eye on the battle for the world title in the constructors, that is not desirable.
Or is it to irritate Horner over and over again - the team principal who, after months of turmoil, is currently doing all he can to establish a calm environment? And Marko giving high-profile interviews here and there certainly doesn't help that. It is all conjecture. The fact is that Marko dominated the headlines again last week, in a way that undoubtedly, not everyone within Red Bull is happy about.
This article has been written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!