Red Bull Formula 1 boss Christian Horner has refuted reports of frictions within the champion team following another victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday.
Rumours of a spat with senior adviser Helmut Marko were rife on race weekend, with multiple reports suggesting Max Verstappen’s mentor could be looking at a suspension.
The champion himself said on Friday that he would consider leaving the team if 80-year-old Marko was shown the door.
A dominant one-two win by Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez was the case come Saturday’s race day, and Horner insisted post-race that all was well within the camp.
“Obviously a lot is made of this stuff. We are one team and nobody is bigger than the team. This team comprises across different entities over 1400 people,” he said when asked about the power struggles within the team.
“Everyone has a role to play and that is from the very bottom to the very top. Without them performing, you don’t achieve performances like this.”
“Unfortunately there has been a lot of speculation this weekend but our focus has been very much on the track.”
Without divulging too much on Marko’s situation, Horner emphasised that no individual was “bigger than the team”.
“Helmut Marko is a consultant to Red Bull GmbH and not the team. Max is a valuable member of this team and a wonderful driver. We are a team and no single individual is bigger than the team.”
50-year-old Horner was cleared by Red Bull after claims of “inappropriate behaviour” by a female teammate who was suspended on Thursday.
Pictured above: Christian Horner
Image source: @rbr_daily
