Christian Horner has revealed that he has had no contact with Helmut Marko since leaving Red Bull, describing the relationship with his former colleague as non-existent.
In an interview with BILD, Horner was asked about the pair’s connection. “We have none,” he replied.
Their final meeting took place on Horner’s last day at the team, when they sat together in his office and shook hands. Since then, he said, there has been “radio silence” which is something he is comfortable with.
Horner also spoke candidly about the events surrounding his departure, saying he was hurt by Marko’s role in efforts to have him dismissed. The Brit said the period was difficult because his former partner, Beverley who was also the mother of his daughter, had died shortly beforehand. According to Horner, Marko did not offer condolences. “That wasn’t very classy,” he said.
The former Red Bull team principal described a long-running tension over influence within the organisation, with the team’s British base and its Austrian corporate headquarters representing competing centres of power.
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Horner said Marko’s role had changed after the death of team owner Dietrich Mateschitz. Marko had previously kept Mateschitz informed and helped persuade him of the direction the team should take, Horner said. Once that was no longer needed, Marko focused more on other areas, including Red Bull’s young-driver programme.
Horner said he believed Marko was too harsh with young drivers. He also criticised what he saw as leaks of internal information to the media, including race strategies and driver news. However, Horner acknowledged that he, too, had traits that frustrated Marko. “There were certainly things about me that drove him up the wall, too,” he said.
Despite the breakdown, Horner recognised the support Marko had given him earlier in his career. The pair worked together for 20 years, and Horner said he owed Marko a great deal for backing his appointment as team principal when he was in his early thirties. Marko had supported him with Mateschitz, helping to secure the leadership role.
Horner said their relationship became more difficult over time, with Mateschitz’s death marking a turning point.
The split that followed left the two men on separate paths. Though Horner has not sought to restore contact, he says he has not forgotten the support Marko once provided.
For now, however, the handshake on his final day remains their last exchange, and neither appears keen to change that.