Horner blames Marko for Red Bull exit and clears Verstappen family

Christian Horner has claimed Helmut Marko was instrumental in his sacking as Red Bull team principal while insisting Max Verstappen’s camp was not responsible.

The 52-year-old was dismissed in July 2025 after two decades leading the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Speaking in the latest series of Netflix’s Drive to Survive, Horner addressed the intense speculation surrounding his sudden departure.

Power struggle at Red Bull

Many observers had suggested the camp of four-time world champion Verstappen influenced the decision following rumoured internal friction.

However, the former team boss believes his exit was the result of a corporate power shift following the death of company founder Dietrich Mateschitz.

“I don’t believe the Verstappens were responsible in any way,” said Horner.

“I think this was a decision that was made by Oliver Mintzlaff with Helmut [Marko] advising from the side-line.”

Horner suggested that in the corporate restructuring post-Mateschitz, he was perceived to hold too much authority within the organisation.

Marko, the team’s long-standing motorsport advisor, also departed the constructors’ champions shortly after Horner at the end of the 2025 campaign.

A painful departure

The Briton admitted feeling a deep sense of hurt regarding the abrupt nature of his removal.

“I feel a real sense of loss,” Horner told the Netflix cameras.

“It was all rather sudden. I didn’t really get the chance to say a proper goodbye.”

He described having the role taken away as losing something “very precious” that was not his choice.

Respect from rivals

The documentary also reveals an unexpected exchange with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

Despite their intense and often public rivalry during the 2021 title battle, Horner disclosed that Wolff sent a touching message following the news of his sacking.

Drive to Survive Season 8 is released on Friday ahead of the 2026 season opener in Australia.