The controversy surrounding Christian Horner’s autobiography, _Drive_, is intensifying as its publication on October 22 approaches. The recent former director of the Red Bull Racing team, Horner, has revealed several controversial claims about his years in Formula 1, provoking reactions from prominent figures in the paddock.
One of the most disputed points from Horner is his claim that Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko was not in favor of bringing Max Verstappen into the team. According to Horner, it was Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, who played a crucial role in his signing. This assertion has sparked outrage from Marko, who rejects the narrative presented by Horner.
Defense of Ralf Schumacher
In an interview with the Austrian media oe24, Marko replied to the accusations, stating that he refuses to get into the details of Horner’s statements. Instead, he praised Ralf Schumacher, who recently labeled Horner’s announcement as ‘an absolute lie’ regarding the signing process of Verstappen.
Schumacher clarified that Marko had contacted Verstappen when he was only 11 years old, but at that time, his father believed it was still too early. Marko confirmed that the circumstances at that moment were not the most suitable, but that the subsequent union would be key to his success in Formula 1.
Shared history
The rivalry between Horner and Marko has had a turbulent history, especially after the sudden death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, which caused tensions within the team. Marko also supported the idea that Horner had attempted to block Verstappen’s promotion to the Red Bull first team in 2016.
Reflecting on his first victory with Verstappen in Barcelona, Marko said: ‘I brought Max into Formula 1 and had to surpass Horner during his first race with Red Bull.’ This accumulation of statements, along with the imminent release of _Drive_, promises that tensions will continue to rise in the world of Formula 1.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
