Helmut Marko has expressed his intention to continue working with Red Bull, but he emphasizes the need for calm to be restored within the team. However, achieving this seems to be a challenging task. The recent crisis within Red Bull escalated during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when it was revealed that an issue involving Marko could potentially lead to his suspension or his decision to leave his significant role in the team. Reports suggest that Marko is being investigated by Red Bull GmbH for leaked information, which may be related to Christian Horner’s recent high-profile investigation into alleged misconduct with a female staff member, among other topics.
Marko is known for freely speaking to various individuals in the Formula 1 community, including the media. This has often irritated Red Bull, as he is not considered an official spokesperson despite his position within the organization. The attempt to silence or suspend Marko, as he claimed on Friday, has left him contemplating whether it is worth continuing with Red Bull, assuming he is not forced out.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s world champion, has expressed his strong support for Marko, emphasizing that his departure would have serious consequences for his own future. Marko had discussions with Red Bull executive Oliver Mintzlaff on race day in Jeddah, and he later stated to Sky Germany that they had a positive conversation and that he will continue in his role. However, Marko also stressed the importance of restoring calm, which is currently uncertain.
While Marko’s continuity at Red Bull temporarily avoids a confrontation over Verstappen’s future, it only masks the underlying tensions within the team. Red Bull is currently far from calm, with a power struggle for control that threatens to tear the team apart from within. What initially began as Horner’s personal controversy has escalated into a wider conflict that demands transparency from Red Bull’s partners, F1, and the FIA. Despite the investigation conducted by Red Bull GmbH dismissing the allegations against Horner, the crisis has deepened, leading to more internal conflicts.
Verstappen had previously remained neutral in the internal disputes at Red Bull. However, his unwavering support for Marko now aligns him with a particular faction within the team. This raises the question of whether Verstappen’s stance puts him at odds with others within the organization.
Marko’s situation is just the latest development in the complex internal dynamics at Red Bull, which existed even before the Horner scandal. The tensions between Marko and Mintzlaff were already well-known, and by the end of last year, Marko’s relationship with Horner had also deteriorated. Marko’s decision to extend his contract with Red Bull in early 2024 was seen as an attempt to align himself with Mintzlaff.
Following their discussions in Jeddah, it is possible that the animosity between Marko and Mintzlaff has diminished, and the real conflicts lie between Horner vs. Marko and Horner vs. Mintzlaff. It is believed that Horner wants majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidyah to support him as the sole leader of Red Bull’s motorsport activities, effectively sidelining Mintzlaff and Marko. In return, Yoovidyah would ensure that the Thai side of Red Bull is not marginalized as the Austrian branch gains more control.
Yoovidyah and Mintzlaff are scheduled to meet in Dubai on Sunday. If Yoovidyah backs Horner as the majority shareholder, Mintzlaff may have no choice but to comply. This raises the question of whether restoring calm is truly possible if everyone remains in their current positions. Furthermore, it highlights the impact of Marko’s situation on Verstappen, as he made it clear that their futures are intertwined.