Red Bull boss distances himself from Marko's scathing attack on Horner

Red Bull's global sporting boss, Oliver Mintzlaff, has publicly distanced himself from Helmut Marko's recent explosive comments about former team principal Christian Horner. Mintzlaff emphasized Horner's historic contributions to the team while defending the company's decision to seek new leadership, framing it as a natural evolution for any long-running organization.

Why it matters:

The public disagreement between two of Red Bull's most senior figures highlights the lingering tensions and divided perspectives within the team's hierarchy following Horner's controversial dismissal last summer. Mintzlaff's careful response aims to acknowledge the past without endorsing Marko's personal criticism, attempting to steer the narrative toward a necessary refresh rather than a bitter fallout.

The details:

• In an interview, Mintzlaff was asked about Marko's claims that Horner had lied to engineer his suspension and that an earlier departure could have secured Max Verstappen the 2024 title.
• Mintzlaff's reply was clear: "Those words about Christian are for Helmut's account. I can't say anything negative about Christian, simply because he has meant a lot to Red Bull."
• He defended the decision to part ways with Horner as a corporate necessity, stating, "We thought it was time for a change."
• Mintzlaff explicitly stated he does not agree with Marko's statements, arguing that change in leadership is logical over a 20-year period.
• He reframed the narrative, calling the two-decade Horner-Marko partnership "unique" for its longevity and success, suggesting a refresh was ultimately needed to "shake things up."

The big picture:

This public rebuttal serves multiple purposes. It protects Red Bull's corporate image by honoring Horner's legacy, justifies a difficult personnel decision as forward-thinking, and attempts to cool internal tensions that have spilled into the public domain. With Laurent Mekies now leading the team to strong results, Mintzlaff's comments reinforce the official stance that the change, however painful, was the correct strategic move for the company's future.

What's next:

The focus for Red Bull is firmly on the present and future under Mekies' leadership. However, Mintzlaff's need to address Marko's comments six months after Horner's exit indicates that the story's emotional and reputational aftermath is still being managed. The team will hope this statement draws a line under the public debate, allowing full attention to return to track performance.