Horner: 'If they can’t survive Helmut, they won't survive F1'

Christian Horner says that Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko is a man "who calls it as he sees it", whose ruthless management of young drivers helps the latter cope with the competitive and demanding nature of F1.

Marko has overseen Red Bull's driver development programme since 1999 and the energy drink company's interests in F1 since 2005.

The Austrian has played a significant role in many young drivers' development – including Max Verstappen – and provided them with an opportunity to join motorsport's elite.

However, Marko's harsh management style, while it has yielded successful results for the likes of Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel or Daniel Ricciardo, has often created a high-pressure and stressful environment for young drivers that has in some cases affected their performance or well-being.

Those who do not meet his expectations – like Nyck de Vries who was recently released from AlphaTauri after just ten races - are often quickly dismissed, while second chances are limited.

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But Horner believes Marko's demanding approach is a filter of sorts that identifies those who have what it takes, mentally and emotionally, to survive the cutthroat world of F1 and succeed at the highest level of motorsport.

"He’s a tough operator with the junior drivers but if they can’t survive Helmut, they’ll never survive F1," Horner told ESPN’s Unlapped Podcast.

"He’s a communication manager’s nightmare. So when Helmut goes rogue, then you guys only have to prod him and you’ll get a headline.

"But he just calls it as he sees it. In many respects it’s very similar to how Niki Lauda was, they come from the same generation and have the same makeup.

"At 80 years of age he’s still looking for purple sectors."

Indeed, the good Dr. Marko, who once competed in nine Grands Prix and who won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1971, continues to live out of a suitcase.

And on race weekend, the octogenarian remains on the lookout for the next young talent to further enhance Red Bull's success in F1.

"He’s still watching every Formula 3 session, every F2 session, every split time and following the young talent religiously," Horner added.

"I’ve always had a very straightforward and good relationship with him."

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