Helmut Marko slams Christian Horner's 'book of untruths'

Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko speaks to Max Verstappen. <i>(Image: Tim Goode / PA)</i>
Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko speaks to Max Verstappen. (Image: Tim Goode / PA)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

Christian Horner’s former colleague at Red Bull, Helmut Marko, has bluntly slammed his "book of untruths".

Horner, who has a home near Banbury, was dismissed by Red Bull in 2025 after two decades at the helm of the Formula One team.

The 52-year-old has now spoken about his relationship with former Red Bull adviser Marko ahead of the publication of his memoir, Drive.

Asked by German newspaper Bild about their current relationship, Horner said: "We don't have one.”

READ MORE: Christian Horner writes '320-page love letter' to wife Geri Halliwell

Horner said his final conversation with Marko took place on his last day with Red Bull.

He said: "On my last day at Red Bull, the two of us sat in my office and shook hands at the end. There’s been radio silence ever since. But that’s fine too."

Horner also claimed Marko had been heavily involved in his departure from the team shortly after the death of his former partner Beverley Allen, the mother of his daughter.

He added: "It really got to me that he was so actively involved in getting me sacked, whilst my ex-partner and the mother of my daughter had passed away shortly before. He didn’t even offer his condolences. That wasn’t exactly the done thing."

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson slams UK council as one-legged man refused blue badge

Marko has now issued a blunt response to Horner’s account.

Speaking to Bild, he said: "The book is a collection of untruths, which I don't want to discuss in detail."

Marko himself left Red Bull at the end of 2025, according to GP Fans, following a period of significant change at the Formula One team.

Horner’s forthcoming memoir details his version of events surrounding tensions during his time at Red Bull and his relationships with key figures at the team.

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos