Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has refuted claims that he and team team principal Christian Horner are currently embroiled in a battle for power.
Helmut Marko has been in charge of the highly successful Red Bull driver development program since 1999, and he is to thank for introducing Formula 1 drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen to the sport.
However, Marko has recently made news for the wrong reasons after receiving a warning from the FIA for attributing Sergio Perez’s inconsistent performance to his racial background.
Uncertainty surrounding Marko’s future intentions to retire from his role at Red Bull has been ongoing since the Austrian turned 80. Sport1.de reported earlier this week that there was a debate going on regarding his role.
The German publication further mentioned that a conference was taking place this week and that Red Bull F1 team principal Horner was in favor of Marko being fired from his position at the energy drink outfit.
However, during an interview with the Austrian publication OE24, Marko refuted the report.
“I’m doing well,” Marko said. “Contrary to many assumptions, I have to disappoint the prophets of doom.
“I have no idea where all the rumours are coming from.
“There is no summit this week. I have a contract until the end of next year.
“When and how I stop, when it is over, that is up to me to decide and not, for example, Mr. Horner.”
Since the passing of the company’s founder, Dietrich Mateschitz late last year, Marko adds there has been turmoil going on behind the scenes at Red Bull.
“Due to the new situation, everything is different,” he added. “People are trying to define their power again.”
Horner disclosed that Marko is not directly employed by the racing team while Marko was in deep water for his remarks against Perez last month. Despite rumors of discord between the two, Horner officially acknowledged his colleague’s error without criticizing him.
“He’s not an employee of Red Bull Racing, so in terms of why didn’t we put out a statement, he’s part of the Red Bull Group and the Group issued an apology through the Servus TV channel,” the Red Bull boss told Sky F1.
“Those comments weren’t right,” Horner acknowledged. “Helmut quickly recognised that and apologised for that both publicly and directly to Sergio.
“You are always learning in life even at 80 years of age. Inevitably lessons have been learned.”
