On media day ahead of the United States Grand Prix weekend, Max Verstappen was asked about the big stories that have come out since the Qatar Grand Prix.
It all started with an article from Globo on tensions between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko as the pair wrestle for control over the leadership role within the team. German publication F1-Insider backed it up earlier this week and went into heavy detail on it.
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
Ahead of the press conference Verstappen attended on Thursday, respected Dutch journalist Erik van Haren confirmed the previous reports about a power struggle within the team as Horner looked to take complete control at the top of it.
According to van Haren, Max Verstappen stated to Red Bull co-owner Chalerm Yoovidhya in Qatar that he does not want to see any changes in the organisation at this time and has given his full backing to Marko. The other co-owner Oliver Mintzlaff is aware of this as well.
Talking to OE24 ahead of his departure to Austin, Marko was thankful to Verstappen for his loyalty. The Austrian gave Verstappen his chance in F1 by placing him at Toro Rosso in 2015.
It has led to Christian Horner having to go into damage control mode as Red Bull Racing do not want to lose their biggest asset at this present time.
Verstappen, unsurprisingly, brushed it all off. The three-time World Champion says no changes will be made and everything is good inside the team.
“Yeah, I saw that from the outside people were trying to basically talk some BS, because I think the mood in the team is very good. Everyone knows exactly what their role is.
“And of course, you know, sad times last year when Dietrich passed away, but you know, we tried to keep that legacy, keep moving it forward.
“And everyone that we have right now in the team is very important to that success that we’re having. So that’s why there are also no changes for the future. So, I think that basically explains it.”
