Chaos in Formula 1

Red Bull power struggle: No suspension of Marko!

Helmut Marko(Bild: GEPA, APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

News in the chaotic power struggle at Red Bull Racing: Helmut Marko will not be suspended! There is talk of "good talks" with sports boss Oliver Mintzlaff.

"For the time being, everything remains the same," announced ORF reporter Ernst Hausleitner on live TV on Saturday afternoon. There was a meeting between Red Bull's head of motorsport Helmut Marko and sports boss Oliver Mintzlaff in a hotel near the track in Jeddah. "There is no suspension," said Hausleitner.

Wurz: "Cut-throat competition" at Red Bull
Marko will not retire either. If the 80-year-old Styrian has his way, he will also be at the race in Australia. However, ORF expert Alexander Wurz expects a lot to happen at Red Bull in the coming weeks. He speaks of a "power struggle" and a "cut-throat competition".

Investigation against Marko
On Friday, Marko surprisingly hinted at his possible suspension in interviews. "The theoretical possibility always exists," said the man from Graz, but ultimately he would decide for himself what to do. Marko was a close confidant of the late Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz and discovered triple world champion Max Verstappen. The latter backed him up. The Dutchman said every year, "They all know that at Red Bull, too, that Helmut always has to be there for me". And if not: "Then we might have a big problem in the team."

Helmut Marko (left) and Max Verstappen(Bild: APA/AFP/JOHN THYS)

Jos Verstappen lashes out at Horner
However, the problems have long been there, and the power struggle between Horner and Marko has turned into a public mud fight. It seems difficult to find a way out of the deadlocked situation without causing even greater damage. "I have already said that there will be problems if he stays," said Jos Verstappen with regard to Horner. "I think it's too late for Christian to say: 'Leave me alone'." However, Horner has the support of the Thai majority owners of the parent company Red Bull, the Yoovidhya family.

Many question marks
An employee's complaint against Horner was dismissed following an independent investigation by Red Bull, before emails reached selected recipients in the paddock a day later - with a link to files on the juicy matter. It is still unclear who sent these emails and passed on the information. Just like the reason for Marko's possible suspension. Malicious tongues claim that the Austrian was the mole at Red Bull who leaked the chats between Horner and the complaining employee. "That's absolute nonsense. I'm glad I can use my cell phone halfway. I've never seen any of these chats," said Marko.