In terms of sport, the 2023 Formula 1 season could hardly go better for Red Bull. The Bulls have won 16 of the 17 races so far and already have both world titles in their pockets. Nevertheless, rumors have recently emerged of a certain unrest in Milton Keynes.
Specifically, it was 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 saw that some people from the outside were trying to talk some bullshit,” said the Dutchman in the run-up to the USA Grand Prix in Austin, making it clear that “the mood in the team is very good.” He emphasizes: “Everyone knows their role exactly.”
“Of course it was sad last year when Dietrich [Mateschitz] has died. But we try to carry on that legacy. Everyone we currently have in the team is very important for the success we have,” emphasizes Verstappen, who became world champion for the third time in a row 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, this does not mean that Marko will leave Red Bull because of this.
There will be “no changes in the future [beim Personal] the world champion makes it clear. Verstappen himself could break the next sound barrier this weekend in Austin. If he wins on Sunday, it would already be his 50th Grand Prix victory.
“It is more important that we concentrate on the weekend and not on the number,” emphasizes Verstappen, pragmatically as usual. When asked whether he was the favorite for the race in Texas, he replied: “If you look at the season, then yes.”
“But it’s a sprint weekend. We have to get FT1 done to make sure the car works well in qualifying.” It is therefore “still a bit early” for forecasts.