Horner insists ‘nobody bigger’ than Red Bull team

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner downplayed once again rumors of turmoil at Red Bull Racing, insisting no single individual - even Max Verstappen - is “bigger than the team”.

Events at the championship winning outfit escalated once again on Friday evening when Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko thrust himself into the spotlight following his claim that he was being investigated by Red Bull GmbH and could possibly be facing severe repercussions.

The issue reportedly involved alleged leaks to the media of confidential information surrounding the investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Horner, who was cleared of any wrongdoing last week.

Adding another layer of complexity, Verstappen, who has a close relationship with Marko, declared his loyalty to the advisor. Verstappen went as far as suggesting his own future at Red Bull might be tied to Marko's fate.

On Saturday however, ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP, Marko announced that his position was no longer in jeopardy after a positive meeting in the paddock earlier in the day with Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff.

• Read also: Marko no longer in jeopardy after crisis talks with Red Bull CEO

On Saturday evening, shortly after Verstappen’s dominant win in Jeddah, Horner downplayed any internal conflict within the team's leadership.

"Obviously, a lot is made of this stuff. But we are one team, and nobody is bigger than the team,” Horner told the media.

"Everybody has a role to play. That's from the very bottom to the very top.”

Alluding to the crisis one-on-one meeting shared between Mintzlaff and Marko on Saturday, Horner said: "Helmut, he is a consultant to Red Bull GmbH. So, whatever the discussion was, it was between them and not with the team.

"Max is an important member of our team. He's a valued member of our team. He's a wonderful driver, but everybody has a role to play in this team. We are a team.

"No single individual is bigger than the team."

Jos Verstappen, who claimed last weekend in Bahrain that Red Bull Racing was at the risk “exploding” of Horner remained at the helm, was absent from this weekend’s race as the Dutchman was competing in a rally in Belgium.

Asked if he would remain at odds with Verstappen Sr in the near future, Horner referred once again to the necessity for Red Bull to be united.

"The speculation is obviously rife. But the most important thing is the team and focusing on on-track performances,” he said.

"You only do that by having a spirit, a culture, and a determination throughout the entire company…

"As team principal and CEO, I'm responsible for the running and the operation of this team. So, everybody has to do their part. Max is doing his part, and everybody else is doing their part."

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