Helmut Marko claims recent loss of key Red Bull F1 personnel is natural development and unrelated to rumours of a difficult relationship between himself and Christian Horner.
Following the high profile departures of Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley and Will Courtenay in recent months, with all three key players joining Aston Martin, Sauber and McLaren respectively, questions have been raised of turmoil within the Milton Keynes based squad.
In the wake of the most recent departure of Courtenay, Jos Verstappen commented that he had warned of the mass exodus from the team. Contrary to Verstappen’s remarks, Marko believes the loss of staff is due to the team’s success.
“Well, I would say that it’s a natural development,” Marko explained when quizzed on the reported power struggle between himself and Horner. “When you’ve been as successful as we have been, that people are poached.
“[Courtenay] had an offer that was significantly more attractive in terms of position and financially, and that was the case for most of the people mentioned.”
Marko continued to explain the team’s focus is to secure the 2024 Drivers’ Championship with Max Verstappen as well as ensure their upcoming cars are competitive. He stated that the team’s performance is key to tying down Max Verstappen into the future.
“We have to stand together and do everything we can to ensure that this world championship is won this year and that we also build successful cars for next year and the year after that, because that’s the basis for being able to keep a Max Verstappen.”
It’s no secret that Verstappen is a highly sought after driver within the F1 paddock, with new rumours of the three-time champion’s future, either with Red Bull or elsewhere, seemingly on a weekly basis.
Marko was then asked if the team’s current difficulties with the RB20 could have been solved had Newey continued in Milton Keynes. Marko however, rejected this notion, suggesting the team’s facilities play a larger role than the highly rated engineer and stating plainly that the issues will be resolved.
“That’s an illusory rhetorical question.” He replied. “We have a diverse team, and they have to – and will – solve this.
“A more modern wind tunnel would help. Our wind tunnel is a post-war model that the British army built. We are no longer up to date – by a long way. And I hope that in 2026, our new wind tunnel will be up and running.”
