Here’s a bold claim that’s sure to spark debate: Max Verstappen could have clinched his fifth consecutive Formula 1 title in 2025 if Christian Horner had been removed from Red Bull earlier. But here’s where it gets controversial—Helmut Marko, the long-time Red Bull advisor, firmly believes this to be true, and his reasoning is as intriguing as it is divisive. Let’s dive into the drama, the decisions, and the 'what-ifs' that have left the racing world buzzing.
Despite a remarkable late-season surge, Max Verstappen narrowly missed out on another championship, finishing just two points behind McLaren’s Lando Norris. Yet, Marko argues that the outcome could have been very different had Horner’s tenure as team principal ended sooner. And this is the part most people miss: Marko insists the power struggle within Red Bull—not just on-track performance—played a pivotal role in Verstappen’s title chase.
The season was already tumultuous for Red Bull, marked by Horner’s dismissal in July after two decades with the team. Shortly after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Marko himself announced his departure, ending a longstanding collaboration despite an ongoing contract. While many viewed Horner’s exit as the resolution to an internal power struggle, Marko downplayed the personal nature of the conflict. “The media always framed it as a battle, but it wasn’t personal,” the 82-year-old told De Limburger. “Together with Dietrich Mateschitz, I founded Red Bull Racing in 2005. Horner was appointed team principal, and I oversaw operations. The real power always resided in Austria—we made the decisions.”
But here’s the twist: Marko reveals that Horner’s actions following Mateschitz’s death in October 2022 were a turning point. “At a party earlier that year, Christian approached me and said, ‘Didi won’t make it to the end of the year,’” Marko recalled. “From that moment, Horner began aligning himself with Chalerm Yoovidhya, Red Bull’s Thai co-owner. After Didi’s passing, Christian pushed to take control of the company with Yoovidhya’s backing. I fought to prevent that on behalf of Austria.”
While Marko’s efforts were successful, he doesn’t view Horner’s dismissal as a victory. “We had to act because our on-track performance was suffering,” he explained. “If we’d acted sooner, we would have regained momentum earlier, and Max would have been champion this year. I’m absolutely convinced of that.”
Under the leadership of Horner’s replacement, Laurent Mekies, Verstappen staged a remarkable comeback after the summer break, nearly overtaking Norris. Yet, the question lingers: Could Verstappen have sealed the deal if the team’s internal issues had been resolved earlier?
Here’s where you come in: Do you agree with Marko’s assessment, or do you think Horner’s presence was less of a factor than he claims? Was Verstappen’s near-miss a result of timing, leadership, or something else entirely? Let’s spark a debate—share your thoughts in the comments below!
