Breaking News: Helmut Marko finally breaks silence on Christian Horner’s shocking exit from Red Bull
In the wake of Christian Horner’s sudden dismissal as Red Bull Racing’s team principal and CEO on July 9, 2025, Formula 1 heavyweight Dr Helmut Marko has stepped forward to comment on the mid-season shake-up. As Red Bull’s senior advisor and Horner’s colleague of over two decades, Marko has offered both tribute and reassurance during this turbulent period for the Milton Keynes team.
> “Christian and I have worked together very successfully for over 20 years – both in Formula 1 and Formula 3000. I would like to sincerely thank Christian for that,” Marko stated via an official team release. “During this time, we were able to celebrate an incredible number of outstanding achievements… We helped develop two World Drivers’ Champions and several Grand Prix winners. That has always been – and still is – the Red Bull way.”
Marko underscored that despite the seismic personnel shift, the team remains firmly committed to pursuing its primary goal: championship success. “As for the current sporting situation: there are still twelve races to go, and we will continue to fight for the Drivers’ Championship as long as it’s mathematically possible,” he added.
He also downplayed rumors that internal politics were overshadowing the team’s on-track focus, describing such speculation as “politics that I’m not concerned with at the moment.” His priority, he said, is “winning the next world title”.
However, Marko’s comments hint at deeper tensions that had been simmering behind the scenes. In the aftermath of Red Bull’s decline in form and a notable power struggle between Horner and Marko himself, the team has changed markedly under new leadership.
Reports suggest Verstappen and his camp played a key role, reportedly setting conditions tied to Horner’s future as part of negotiations to stay.
Observations from the paddock paint a picture of a clubhouse under strain. Journalists and insiders noted a palpable “weird vibe” at hospitality areas, with tensions flaring when Horner or Marko entered. Meanwhile, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone weighed in, calling the abruptness of Horner’s dismissal “like he’s murdered somebody,” and questioning the lack of transition period.
Marko made it clear that even though Horner’s exit was unexpected, the team is forging ahead. He’s highlighted the capability of the management successors, noting that former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies has stepped into Horner’s CEO role, with Alan Permane promoted to a prominent position on the sister team.
In conclusion, Helmut Marko’s message is twofold: he honours Horner’s extraordinary legacy while signalling that Red Bull’s future is being shaped by fresh leadership and an unwavering championship mindset.
With just 12 races remaining in the season, all eyes will be on whether this internal punctuation can revive the team’s performance — and whether the Horner‑Marko era, which yielded multiple titles, truly closes a defining chapter in F1 history.