Max Verstappen makes it clear that Helmut Marko will not be leaving Red Bull – Rumors to that effect are nonsense and the mood in the team is “very good “
In sporting terms, the 2023 Formula 1 season could hardly be going better for Red Bull. The Bulls have won 16 of the 17 races so far and already have both world championship titles in the bag. Nevertheless, rumors of a certain amount of unrest in Milton Keynes have recently surfaced.
The rumors were about an alleged power struggle between Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. But after team boss Horner himself recently made it clear that Marko would not be leaving the team, world champion Max Verstappen is now also finding clear words.
“I’ve seen that some people from the outside have tried to talk some bullshit,” says the Dutchman in the run-up to the USA Grand Prix in Austin, clarifying “that the mood in the team is very good.” He stresses, “Everyone knows their role very well.”
“Of course it was sad last year when Dietrich [Mateschitz] died. But we are trying to carry on that legacy. Everyone we currently have in the team is very important to the success we have,” stresses Verstappen, who won his third consecutive world championship in Qatar.
Background: Marko was a close confidant of Red Bull founder Mateschitz. His relationship with his successor, Oliver Mintzlaff, is considered to be much more distant. According to Verstappen, however, this in no way means that Marko will leave Red Bull because of this.
There will be “no changes [in personnel] in the future either,” the world champion clarifies. Verstappen himself, meanwhile, could break the next sound barrier this weekend in Austin. If he wins on Sunday, it would be his 50th Grand Prix victory.
“It’s more important that we focus on the weekend and not on the number,” Verstappen stresses in his usual pragmatic manner. Asked if he’s going into the race in Texas as the favorite, he replies, “Looking at the season, yes.”
“But it’s a sprint weekend. We need to get FT1 done to make sure the car works well in qualifying.” It is therefore “still a bit early” to make any predictions
