Helmut Marko Responds to Christian Horner's Claims About Max Verstappen

Helmut Marko has responded to Christian Horner's claims regarding the signing of Max Verstappen, which are featured in Horner's upcoming autobiography, Drive, set for release on October 22. The former Red Bull Racing team principal alleged that Marko opposed bringing Verstappen into the team, suggesting that Verstappen's father played a crucial role in the deal.

Marko dismissed Horner's narrative, referencing Ralf Schumacher, who criticized Horner's account as false. Schumacher recounted that Marko had approached Verstappen when he was only 11, but Jos Verstappen deemed it too early. Marko agreed with Schumacher, stating that the timing was not right during Verstappen's early karting career.

The ongoing tension between Marko and Horner has been exacerbated by a power struggle following the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz. Marko also claimed that it was Horner who initially opposed Verstappen's promotion to the senior team in 2016, despite Marko being instrumental in bringing Verstappen into Formula 1.