Marko brands Horner’s memoir timing ‘an embarrassment’

The embers of Red Bull’s bitterest civil war have flared into open flame once again, with Helmut Marko launching another scathing attack on Christian Horner, seizing on the timing of the former team principal's new autobiography, Drive.

Released on October 22, precisely four years after the passing of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, the memoir's launch date was quickly labeled a crass misstep by the Austrian veteran.

"The fact that the book is being published on the very day Dietrich Mateschitz died is an embarrassment," Marko told Krone, taking aim at Horner’s decision to launch his tell-all volume on such a solemn date for the Red Bull energy drinks company.

Retaliation and rebuttals

Horner’s book paints a devastating picture of the team's internal rift, accusing Marko of leaking sensitive operational data – a habit that allegedly forced legendary designer Adrian Newey and senior staff to withhold information.

Horner also recounts his own 2025 dismissal, claiming Marko stoically echoed corporate soundbites alongside executive Oliver Mintzlaff during the firing.

Marko, however, firmly refused to enter a protracted war of words over the book's broader claims.

"That's a collection of untruths of such a low calibre that I won't address them," he dismissed.

Yet, he made a notable exception to settle one deeply personal grievance.

• Read also: Horner blames Marko for Red Bull sacking, gets fierce rebuttal

Horner had written that Marko showed a "not very classy" lack of empathy by failing to offer condolences following the passing of the Red Bull team principal’s former partner, Beverly.

Countering the narrative, Marko produced physical evidence to set the record straight.

"I only want to correct one claim: that I did indeed offer my condolences after the death of his ex-partner Beverly," Marko insisted, displaying the message sent on his phone.

With Horner describing total silence between the two since his departure, this latest exchange confirms that the legacy of their power struggle remains as hostile as ever.

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