An explosive new chapter has been written in the ongoing saga at Red Bull Racing, with the team's outgoing adviser, Helmut Marko, launching a blistering attack on former team principal Christian Horner. Marko has accused Horner of "lying" and engaging in "dirty games" during the internal power struggle that ultimately led to his dismissal.
The Core Allegations: Lies and Fabricated Rumours
In remarks reported on Wednesday 17 December 2025, the Austrian motorsport veteran did not hold back. Marko claimed that Horner attempted to have him suspended from the Formula 1 team by spreading "fabricated" rumours. One such alleged falsehood reportedly concerned sensitive information about the team's engine development programme.
Marko, who is set to retire at the close of the year, stated that the crucial turning point came when Red Bull's majority shareholder, Chalerm Yoovidhya, withdrew his backing for Horner. This decision was allegedly made after Yoovidhya realised Horner was "lying about all sorts of things." These revelations add significant context to the turbulent period that culminated in Horner's exit from the championship-winning team in July.
The Turbulent Exit and Ongoing Fallout
Christian Horner's departure from his long-standing role as team principal was not a quiet affair. It followed a period of intense internal conflict and came amid separate allegations of inappropriate behaviour, which are not directly addressed in Marko's latest comments. His dismissal marked the end of an era for the Milton Keynes-based squad.
The fallout, however, continues. According to reports, Horner is actively seeking a return to the Formula 1 paddock. His ambitions are reportedly focused on the Alpine team, where he is said to desire not just a leadership role but also a stake in the team's ownership. This potential move would signal a dramatic new phase in his motorsport career.
What This Means for Red Bull and F1
Marko's candid comments peel back the curtain on the severe internal rifts that can develop even within the most successful sporting organisations. They highlight how power struggles and allegations of dishonesty can destabilise a team's management structure at the highest level.
For Red Bull Racing, moving forward means navigating this very public airing of past grievances while maintaining their competitive edge on track. For the wider world of Formula 1, the saga underscores the intense political and personal dynamics that operate behind the scenes of the global sport, where boardroom battles can be as fierce as the wheel-to-wheel racing.
