Horner blames Marko for Red Bull sacking, gets fierce rebuttal

Christian Horner and Helmut Marko spent two decades operating as Red Bull’s formidable power couple, helping turn the energy drinks manufacturer into a Formula 1 powerhouse.

Now, following their exit from F1, the former allies are exchanging accusations over the acrimonious end of Horner’s reign.

Amid the promotion of his soon-to-be-released autobiography, Drive, the former Red Bull team boss offered a remarkably personal account of the breakdown, claiming Marko played an active role in his dismissal.

But the 83-year-old Austrian has dismissed Horner’s version of events as “a collection of falsehoods”.

Whatever camaraderie once existed between the pair has clearly evaporated. And judging by their latest exchanges, neither appears particularly interested in repairing the damage.

‘There’s been radio silence ever since’

Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Horner was unequivocal when asked about his relationship with Marko today: "We don't have one."

The Briton, who was removed from his position in July 2025 after two decades at the helm, revealed that their final encounter took place on his last day with the team, shortly after the death of Beverley Allen, his former partner and the mother of his daughter.

The personal circumstances surrounding his departure remain a particularly raw element of Horner’s account. He claims Marko was involved in the campaign that ultimately cost him his job, despite the timing of his bereavement.

“On my last day at Red Bull, the two of us sat in my office and shook hands at the end. There’s been radio silence ever since. But that’s fine too,” he explained.

"It really got to me that he was so actively involved in getting me sacked, whilst my ex-partner and the mother of my daughter had passed away shortly before. He didn’t even offer his condolences. That wasn’t very classy.”

The accusation adds a deeply personal dimension to an already turbulent separation, suggesting that Horner’s grievances extend well beyond the professional circumstances of his departure.

Marko, however, has shown little appetite for engaging with the allegations on Horner’s terms.

Marko hits back at ‘untruths’

Speaking to F1 Insider, the 83-year-old Austrian delivered a terse rebuttal, rejecting Horner’s version of events without offering a detailed counter-narrative.

"That's a collection of untruths, I don't want to address them at all,” Marko said.

It was hardly an attempt to smooth things over. Rather, Marko’s response left the competing accounts hanging in the air, with neither man showing signs of backing down.

Yet Horner has not entirely rewritten their shared history as a tale of betrayal. He acknowledged that Marko played a crucial role in his rise at Red Bull, supporting his appointment as team principal when he was still in his early thirties.

"Helmut and I worked side by side for 20 years," he said.

"I owe him a great deal because he stood up for me with Dietrich back then, when it came to appointing a man in his early 30s as team principal. But over time, our relationship became more difficult. The break came with Dietrich's death."

• Read also: Horner sees history repeating itself for Newey at Aston Martin

That final remark points towards the deeper power struggle that followed the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.

The loss of the man who had brought them together altered the internal balance at the organisation, and the relationship between Horner and Marko steadily deteriorated thereafter.

Their partnership once helped define Red Bull’s identity and success. Now, its final chapter is being played out through sharply conflicting accounts, with the old allies united only in their apparent determination to have the last word.

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