Marko says 'Horner took over role of Mateschitz' during turbulent times

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Helmut Marko on situation around christian Horner and internal quarrels
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  • Olly Darcy
  • Editor

Helmut Marko has said that former Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz "has been replaced" by Christian Horner. Since the passing of Mateschitz in October 2022, it has been a turbulent time at Red Bull, having one of their most successful seasons in 2023, but then a really troublesome year in 2024.

It is well known that Marko and Horner do not have the easiest relationship, with the death of Mateschitz creating a hole at the top of the Red Bull Racing management. But Marko says that he and Horner are working hard and in conjunction to win the world title again in 2024, as well as keeping Max Verstappen at the Austrian team.

After the dominant season in 2023, breaking many records in the process, it was clear that the 2024 season would not match that, with Marko saying, "The 2023 season was unique. It was certain that it could not continue like this in motorsport. You cannot win every Grand Prix," Marko told Motorsport-Magazin.

Marko and Horner working together towards common goal

Of course, before the 2024 season got underway, the allegations that surrounded Horner dogged the team before any racing got underway. Those allegations may have quieted down, but it led to many key members of staff leaving the Austrian team, including Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley. 

"2024 still started very successfully. Meanwhile, there were turbulences around Christian Horner. Those have now been regulated, I would say. We sat down together and said we want to win this championship. Therefore, we have to do our best to achieve that goal."

But the Austrian advisor said that the death of former Red Bull owner Mateschitz did have a major impact on the team, with some major changes right at the top of the management: "Dietrich Mateschitz has been replaced by Horner, so this replacement has changed a lot in the structure. Horner has just taken on multiple roles, but when such an exceptional personality disappears (Dietrich) there is a big change overall."

Despite the turbulent time off-track and then the loss of pace on-track, Marko knows that the work cannot be finished until after Abu Dhabi if those common goals are to be achieved: "The story with Horner certainly didn't help. But we have come to the conclusion that we have to work together. To get a winning car and keep Max," Marko said.

This article was created in collaboration with Sandy van Wijngaarden

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