Horner: No ‘cunning’ plan to oust Marko from Red Bull

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has denied he was involved in a “cunning” plan designed to oust Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko from the team’s environment.

On Friday evening at the Saudi Arabian GP, the Red Bull team became a hotbed of tension once again when Marko found himself at the center of a brewing power struggle.

The Austrian claimed that he might be suspended due to alleged media leaks connected to the investigation into Horner’s conduct, for which the Briton was cleared.

However, the accusations seemed far-fetched to many as Marko, at 80 years old, isn't known for his social media savviness.

A face-to-face crisis meeting between Marko and Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff was held in the Saudi Arabian GP paddock on Saturday morning and yielded a positive outcome for Marko.

• Read also: Horner insists ‘nobody bigger’ than Red Bull team

Later on in the day, ahead of the start of Saturday evening’s race, Marko vehemently denied the leaks in an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF, and suggested that the situation was a deliberate attempt to undermine him.

He phrased it as a "planned operation," a tactic his late friend and F1 legend Niki Lauda might have recognized as "cunning."

“Absolute rubbish. I'm really happy when I have my iPhone halfway under control,” Marko said.

“I haven't seen this report or any of these chats. I deliberately stayed out of it. To associate me with it was almost like a planned operation, as I realised. ‘Cunning’, as Lauda would say.”

Marko didn't name names, but his comments hinted at a battle lingering on at Red Bull between opposing factions.

“I think the rumour about suspension was as news to the team as it was to anybody else,” explained Horner. “We were quite surprised to hear that.

“Helmut is a contractor to Red Bull GmbH, so it was an issue between them. We weren't party or part of that discussion.

“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.”

Max Verstappen’s staunch defense of Marko, in which the Dutchman suggested on Friday in no uncertain terms that his future with Red Bull would be called into question if ever Marko was ousted, may have influenced Red Bull’s decision to smooth out things with the Austrian.

But Horner doubted this was the case.

“There has been no decision-making process around Helmut, so I am not quite sure where the rumour has permeated from. But it is not something I’ve been involved in.”

While last weekend’s events raised more questions about Red Bull Racing’s internal dynamics and its ability to function smoothly amidst internal conflict, Horner anticipated no problems with Marko continuing in his role

“My relationship with Helmut is no issue. I think that he's always outspoken, but that's Helmut,” he concluded.

“Everybody has a role to play no matter what that role is. I think this team has been incredibly successful, and it has had tremendous ability for a long period of time. That has been one of the keys to our success.”

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