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Helmut Marko Accuses Christian Horner of Power Grab, Fabrications in Red Bull Rift

He contends the leadership turmoil cost Max Verstappen the 2025 title.

Overview

  • In interviews with Dutch media, Marko claims Horner sought to shift control after Dietrich Mateschitz’s decline by aligning with majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya.
  • Marko alleges Horner’s camp spread false stories about him, including an invented anti‑Mexican remark and a claim he said Red Bull’s engine program was behind schedule and at risk of losing Ford.
  • He says Verstappen intervened in Jeddah to stop an attempted suspension, and that exposing repeated falsehoods led Yoovidhya to withdraw support for Horner.
  • Horner was sacked in July 2025 and replaced by Laurent Mekies, after which Red Bull’s form improved and Verstappen rallied to finish two points behind champion Lando Norris.
  • Marko has now left Red Bull after more than two decades and argues that an earlier change at the top would have delivered Verstappen a fifth consecutive championship.