Red Bull team principal Christian Horner on Saturday rejected all suggestions of disunity within his world champions after Max Verstappen led Sergio Perez home in a resounding one-two at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Responding to questions following another day of claims and counter-claims for the troubled champions, Horner said everyone in the organization played a role in their successes.
However, he avoided giving full comments on the latest spats which had suggested senior adviser Helmut Marko faced possible suspension before a pre-race meeting at the circuit after which he made clear he was staying.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Three-time world champion Verstappen on Friday said that he would consider leaving Red Bull if they parted company with his long-time mentor Marko.
“Obviously a lot is made of this stuff,” said Horner when it was put to him that there was an internal power struggle for control of the team.
“We are one team and nobody is bigger than the team. This team comprises across different entities over 1,400 people,” he said. “Everyone has a role to play and that is from the very bottom to the very top. Without them performing, you don’t achieve performances like this.”
“Unfortunately there has been a lot of speculation this weekend but our focus has been very much on the track,” he added.
Marko’s future was the subject of speculation on Friday following reports that suggested the 80-year-old Austrian may have been the source of leaks to news media over allegations he subjected a female colleague to “inappropriate behavior.”
“Helmut Marko is a consultant to Red Bull GmbH and not the team. Max is a valuable member of this team and a wonderful driver. We are a team — and no single individual is bigger than the team,” Horner said.
The female teammate who claimed she had been subjected to inappropriate behavior was suspended on Thursday.
Horner, 50, has denied the claims and was cleared by Red Bull following an internal investigation.
Amid speculation over Verstappen’s future, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said they would do handstands to have him driving for them.
Wolff has a vacancy for 2025 following Lewis Hamilton’s decision to move to Ferrari.
“I’d love to have him, but first we need to sort out our car. I think we owe it to our drivers George [Russell] and Lewis to improve the car and give them equipment that is good before dreaming about the future next year,” Wolff said.
Asked if Verstappen was the top target, Wolff asid: “This is a decision that Max needs to take and there is no team up and down the grid who wouldn’t do handstands to have him in the car.”
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