AUSTRIA: Ralf Schumacher has warned Christian Horner not to try to oust Helmut Marko, as Max Verstappen “wouldn’t tolerate it”. According to a report from Brazilian media, all is not well at Red Bull, despite the team securing another championship double and Verstappen claiming their third successive World title.
Despite an almost three-decade relationship and Marko being the one to bring Horner over to Red Bull, the relationship has soured of late following Marko’s numerous contradictory comments about Sergio Perez’s future, topped by his xenophobic remark.
Throw in Horner taking a more active role at Red Bull’s junior team AlphaTauri, something that used to be under Marko’s remit, and tensions have reportedly been climbing to the point that a crucial meeting is said to be taking place this week.
However, Horner may have overlooked one huge aspect of his alleged power play: Max Verstappen. The Dutchman is very close to Marko, who was the one who spotted his talent during his single season in European Formula 3 and opened the door to his meteoric rise into Formula 1.
As such, Schumacher believes Verstappen “wouldn’t tolerate” Marko being unceremoniously ousted from Red Bull. He believes the Briton is short-sighted in trying to get rid of Marko, as the 80-year-old “won’t want to have the stress of travelling to racetracks around the world forever.”
But the Perez comments and Horner’s extended role at AlphaTauri aren’t the only issues between the Red Bull team boss and the motorsport advisor; there’s also the AlphaTauri line-up.
Last month, Red Bull confirmed Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda would be the junior team’s 2024 line-up, but Horner wasn’t keen on continuing with the Japanese driver.
Also Read: Red Bull’s Helmut Marko Faces Crucial Vote on Future amidst Growing Tensions
