Christian Horner insists that "no individual" is bigger than Red Bull and that the team does "not force people to be here" after Max Verstappen's comments about Helmut Marko.
Ahead of qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, reports emerged that suggested Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko could be suspended by Red Bull, with RacingNews365 understanding the reason to be after the team investigated potential recent media leaks.
After claiming pole position, Verstappen - who had up until that point been rather neutral in the ongoing power struggle at the team - gave Marko his full-throated support and hinted that if Marko left the team, his own future would be in doubt.
After winning in Jeddah, Verstappen was further pushed on the matter, and asked if he would seriously consider walking away from the team at the end of 2024 and give up a potential world title in '25.
He did not answer the question and remained coy as Horner suggested as many as 16 drivers are currently interested in the other Red Bull seat that is available for next season, with Sergio Perez's contract set to expire after the 2024 campaign.
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"No individual is bigger than the team, and we have a phenomenal car, we've got one seat open for next year (that of Sergio Perez) and I've probably got 16 drivers desperate to be in that car next year," Horner told media including RacingNews365.
"We all have a common interest, which is the performance of the team, and the team comes first for every single member from the very top to the very bottom.
"Without the team working in absolute harmony, it is impossible to achieve performances like this, but if an individual doesn't want to be in the team, we don't force people to be here.
"The people here, they work in this sport and this team because they want to be here because they're passionate about what they do.
"That passion enables us to deliver not average results, but exceptional results - and it is that passion and commitment by every member that is the DNA of Red Bull Racing.
"That will continue not just this week, not next week, but to continue what we've done for 20 years for the next 20 years."
Will Max Verstappen really decide to leave Red Bull? Let us know in the comments and by voting in the poll below!
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Fair_opinion
There is zero chance of Max leaving Red Bull, who are by far the best car on the track. Max does himself a disservice by even trying to hint at it. It’s all a bluff created by Jos who thinks we’re all dumb enough to believe it. And as if an 80 year old leaving a team would be enough to make Max want to leave. Especially as whatever team Max went to would also not have Marko either. So what would be the point? Makes zero sense to the power of 3. Which is still zero I guess. But an emphatic zero. Don’t lose too much credibility Max. No one believes a word of this. Whoever Red Bull get in in place of you will win the WDC’s instead of you. Get Jos out of your ear and be your own man.
YaruSP
Max is being his own man. His public statement in all this neutral in all this until Marko got pressured by the team. Marko means a lot to him, even Jos being attacked doesn't bother him.
Robson Coimbra
Some guys are saying that they want Cristian Horner out of the team for his harassment of his secretary, that in the US it is very bad and Wal-Mart would no longer sell the brand's drinks. That's the position of Jos, Toto, Zak, but they're worried about the secretary, Red Bull's profits or dismantling the team that has been winning everything and will continue to win until 2025.
Paul_SL
Max has shown a naiveté that I thought he might have grown out of by now. He still has to learn that threatening your employer in order to get what you want more often than not leads to a shortened carrier with that company. His father on the other hand is too stupid to know that, and you can't fix 'stupid'
DouMP44
I don't think it is naiveté perse, he just claims his alliance to Helmut and is not afraid of the repercussions.. as I think he is right not to be, since he knows where he stands within the team. If there is anyone leaving the Red Bull team due to damaging the image of the brand it is Horner. Whether he is "acquitted" or not. Regarding Jos I don't think it is even worth mentioning, nobody takes him seriously, he's just a barking dog.
YaruSP
His employers threatened his close friend and ally, so of course he would respond. He wants to the be in the team but not with Marko there. You're making it sound like he's doing it for nothing, he isn't. It shows how much Marko means to himm
sebastien#33893
All this is speculation.
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Sundance98
*Tempest in a Tea Pot....for sure. When you have a great team and great drivers and you have won the last two years.....you are going to have naysayers and derision... However, Red Bull is going to stay the course and win its third title in so many years....because they have the best team going. Why spoil success?