It feels like there is no end to the Red Bull fiasco, with the incident starting around a month ago, only to have no resolution. The initial investigation was concluded with Christian Horner clearing out his name for inappropriate behavior, but his return has not been all that great for the team. Especially for Helmut Marko.

Over the years, Marko and Horner have had clashes regarding how to run the team, and at one point, the team director also tried to fire Helmut. But the one thing that has kept the 80-year-old around is his playing a part in Max Verstappen’s contract. Now with tension reaching an all-time high, Helmut Marko stepped forward to speak about his possible exit.

Following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Marko stated, “I was already thinking about leaving at the end of last season.”  With this shocking news, Marko broke the hearts of millions of Red Bull fans. But while continuing his explanation he said, “But I think we should also think about team founder Dietrich Mateschitz and his legacy, what his ideas were, and where they took us.”

“We owe that to him, but I also see it as a kind of respect for an incredibly great personality.” Considering Verstappen’s contract Marko stated, “What happens when Max is done with it? Then we will discuss that internally. But I’m sure a door will open for him everywhere.”

Currently, the world champion is signed with Red Bull till 2028, but his contract states that he can quit the team before the end date if Helmut Marko leaves the team. After the Bahrain Grand Prix, many rumors of Max Verstappen moving to Mercedes started. It was at that time that Helmut Marko stated, that if he needed to quit Red Bull for Verstappen’s sake, he would not come in the way of the 3-time world champion and his dreams.

Christian Horner’s take on Helmut Marko’s position

After the race was done, the questions at the paddock began, and in the middle of everything was Christian Horner. When asked about the power struggle and Marko’s position in the team, the team principal said, “I think the rumor about suspension was as news to the team as it was to anybody else.” Expressing that he was surprised at hearing about this, he explained, “Helmut is a contractor to Red Bull GmbH, so it was an issue between them. We weren’t party or part of that discussion.”

While it’s no secret that the two teammates have been working together for decades now, Horner got that up in the conversation saying, “I’ve known Helmut since 1996, and he’s played an important role over the years. That role has evolved over the years. I’ve known him a very, very long time.

“Coming up to 81 years of age, he’s still obviously motivated about Formula 1, which is a positive thing,” said Horner while concluding the discussion. And with this Christian Horner denies any involvement in wanting Helmut Marko out of the team. That being said, do you believe Christian Horner’s words? Is the whole talk about Marko getting sacked just a rumor and nothing more? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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