Latest news with #Marko
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Tearful Red Bull F1 staff ordered to ‘smile more' after being rocked by Christian Horner axe
TEARFUL staff rocked by Red Bull chief Christian Horner's axing have been ordered to 'smile more' by their new Austrian and German bosses. Loyal workers were stunned when the British Formula One team's supremo 3 Red Bull staff have been told to 'smile more' despite being upset over Christian Horner's exit Credit: AFP 3 The ace was brutally fired earlier this month in a surprise meeting Credit: AP He helped And sources told SunSport new Austrian boss Helmut Marko upset staff who gathered to meet him at the team's HQ in Milton Keynes — with some now threatening to quit. A female Red Bull worker revealed: 'It was only a day after Christian was sacked and a lot of the team were still upset when Mr Marko addressed us. 'But he just made a joke of it and told us to cheer up — he said, 'You need to smile more'. READ MORE IN F1 'It didn't endear him to anyone as what is there to smile about?' Horner's roles as chief executive officer and team principal have been usurped by Austrian team adviser Marko, 82, and German ex-football official Oliver Mintzlaff, 49. While French engineer and motorsport exec Laurent Mekies, 48, was quickly unveiled as Horner's replacement last week. But insiders have insisted Mintzlaff and Marko are now the men in the driving seat — and revealed their first address to staff at Milton Keynes was a 'car crash'. Most read in Motorsport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Mintzlaff sparked more anger when he joked about the brutal axing of senior staff including Horner, chief marketing officer Oliver Hughes and director of communications Paul Smith. Horner was summoned to London on July 9 believing he was attending a regular team meeting. Christian Horner SACKED by Red Bull F1! Shock Departure After 20 Years But he was then relieved of his duties on the spot and put on gardening leave. Hughes and Smith were called into an office and also told they were no longer part of Red Bull's future. They were escorted out of the building after having their company devices taken from them — leaving hundreds of staff with no bosses to answer to. And another staff member told SunSport: 'Mintzlaff also said, 'If you have any problems, just text your line manager'. 'Then he added, 'Oh, and if you don't have a line manager any more, just text me!' and started laughing.' Red Bull supremo Horner knew nothing of the plans to get rid of him, 18 months after he was accused of a sexting scandal which broke the heart of his Spice Girl wife Geri, 52. And the £12million-a-year chief was replaced within 24 hours by Marko and Mintzlaff, who arrived to address staff members, 90 per cent of whom are British. Emotional Red Bull insiders spoke in depth for the first time yesterday over their shock at the loss of their boss. They also laid bare the chaos that is now gripping this once all-conquering F1 team. 3 And long-standing family friends who have spoken to Horner admitted he was left stunned by his ruthless removal. One told SunSport: 'Christian told me how hurt and betrayed he felt after all that he and Geri and their family have been through over the past 18 months. 'He was cleared twice over the texting scandal but is now on gardening leave and has still been given no explanation why he's lost the job he loved. 'Red Bull's Austrian bosses have always resented the fact that so much of their F1 success was down to a team that Christian built in Britain. 'That is what lies behind this — as well as the hangover from the terrible headlines last year. 'Christian was called to a London meeting and had no idea what it was about. 'He was just told, 'You have to be there' and was dumbfounded when he was ushered into a room and effectively sacked on the spot. 'It left him totally blindsided — he thought he'd been called in to speak about another issue. 'But the staff are nearly all Brits and are fiercely loyal to him and are now talking about walking out. 'It was a targeted attack for control of the race team because Red Bull's Austrian HQ didn't like a British man running their race team. 'But now the team is in chaos — Red Bull at Milton Keynes has hit the skids.' Red Bull's Austrian-based HQ was approached for comment yesterday.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Tearful Red Bull F1 staff ordered to ‘smile more' after being rocked by Christian Horner axe
TEARFUL staff rocked by Red Bull chief Christian Horner's axing have been ordered to 'smile more' by their new Austrian and German bosses. Loyal workers were stunned when the British Formula One team's supremo Horner, 51, was ousted following a stellar 20-year reign. 3 Red Bull staff have been told to 'smile more' despite being upset over Christian Horner's exit Credit: AFP 3 The ace was brutally fired earlier this month in a surprise meeting Credit: AP He helped Red Bull win eight drivers' championships and six constructors' crowns. And sources told SunSport new Austrian boss Helmut Marko upset staff who gathered to meet him at the team's HQ in Milton Keynes — with some now threatening to quit. A female Red Bull worker revealed: 'It was only a day after Christian was sacked and a lot of the team were still upset when Mr Marko addressed us. 'But he just made a joke of it and told us to cheer up — he said, 'You need to smile more'. READ MORE IN F1 'I'm open-minded' Verstappen hints at plans amid rumours he'll quit Red Bull for Mercedes 'It didn't endear him to anyone as what is there to smile about?' Horner's roles as chief executive officer and team principal have been usurped by Austrian team adviser Marko, 82, and German ex-football official Oliver Mintzlaff, 49. While French engineer and motorsport exec Laurent Mekies, 48, was quickly unveiled as Horner's replacement last week. But insiders have insisted Mintzlaff and Marko are now the men in the driving seat — and revealed their first address to staff at Milton Keynes was a 'car crash'. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Mintzlaff sparked more anger when he joked about the brutal axing of senior staff including Horner, chief marketing officer Oliver Hughes and director of communications Paul Smith. Horner was summoned to London on July 9 believing he was attending a regular team meeting. Christian Horner SACKED by Red Bull F1! Shock Departure After 20 Years But he was then relieved of his duties on the spot and put on gardening leave. Hughes and Smith were called into an office and also told they were no longer part of Red Bull's future. They were escorted out of the building after having their company devices taken from them — leaving hundreds of staff with no bosses to answer to. And another staff member told SunSport: 'Mintzlaff also said, 'If you have any problems, just text your line manager'. 'Then he added, 'Oh, and if you don't have a line manager any more, just text me!' and started laughing.' Red Bull supremo Horner knew nothing of the plans to get rid of him, 18 months after he was accused of a sexting scandal which broke the heart of his Spice Girl wife Geri, 52. And the £12million-a-year chief was replaced within 24 hours by Marko and Mintzlaff, who arrived to address staff members, 90 per cent of whom are British. Emotional Red Bull insiders spoke in depth for the first time yesterday over their shock at the loss of their boss. They also laid bare the chaos that is now gripping this once all-conquering F1 team. 3 And long-standing family friends who have spoken to Horner admitted he was left stunned by his ruthless removal. One told SunSport: 'Christian told me how hurt and betrayed he felt after all that he and Geri and their family have been through over the past 18 months. 'He was cleared twice over the texting scandal but is now on gardening leave and has still been given no explanation why he's lost the job he loved. 'Red Bull's Austrian bosses have always resented the fact that so much of their F1 success was down to a team that Christian built in Britain. 'That is what lies behind this — as well as the hangover from the terrible headlines last year. 'Christian was called to a London meeting and had no idea what it was about. 'He was just told, 'You have to be there' and was dumbfounded when he was ushered into a room and effectively sacked on the spot. 'It left him totally blindsided — he thought he'd been called in to speak about another issue. 'But the staff are nearly all Brits and are fiercely loyal to him and are now talking about walking out. 'It was a targeted attack for control of the race team because Red Bull's Austrian HQ didn't like a British man running their race team. 'But now the team is in chaos — Red Bull at Milton Keynes has hit the skids.' Red Bull's Austrian-based HQ was approached for comment yesterday.
Newsweek
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Red Bull Makes Bold Admission About Max Verstappen Championship Fight
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko has admitted that Max Verstappen is out of the 2025 championship race. The 81-year-old also acknowledged discussions between the four-time world champion and the Mercedes F1 team. The 2025 season is unlike any year Verstappen has experienced in the current ground effect era, which began in 2022. Red Bull's F1 cars have been dominant in the last three years, helping the Dutch driver secure four championship titles. However, McLaren began its charge last year, winning the constructors' championship, and now, both its drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are battling for their maiden F1 titles. Verstappen, meanwhile, has been struggling with the RB21 F1 car. Though he secured pole position for the British Grand Prix last weekend, he was heard complaining on the team radio about how the car wasn't turning the way it should. Verstappen is currently third in the drivers' standings with 165 points, 61 points behind Norris in second, and 69 points behind championship leader Piastri. Marko acknowledged that Verstappen's championship fight was over. Speaking to OE24, he was asked if the situation could turn around at Verstappen's home race in August. Marko said: Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 05, 2025... Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 05, 2025 in Northampton, England. More"Yes, but the World Championship is still over. It's now just between Norris and Piastri, although Norris has made an impressive comeback with two sensational races." When asked why the rumors of talks between Verstappen and Mercedes weren't fading away, Marko added: "He could be in talks. But there are no current developments." Considering Verstappen is still third in the championship, the exit clause in his contract hasn't been activated yet. When Marko was asked if that was the reason why he wasn't worried, he said: "That's exactly right." The Red Bull advisor believes that conditions at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa would favor the RB21. He said: "It's possible – if the updates we still have in the pipeline take effect. Temperatures and cornering characteristics would also favor us." Marko's comments indicate Red Bull has been struggling to keep up its pace, and with no hope of Verstappen's fifth title, the future looks dull. Red Bull's announcement of parting ways with CEO and team principal Christian Horner rocked the F1 world today. Racing Bulls' team principal Laurent Mekies will take over the role of CEO at Red Bull. Addressing his move, Mekies said: "The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter. It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people. The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning. Alan is the perfect man to take over now and continue our path. He knows the team inside out and has always been an important pillar of our early successes." Racing Bulls Sporting Director Alan Permane will replace Mekies as team principal.
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Major Red Bull fear admitted as Max Verstappen talks over Mercedes move
Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko have a strong relationship and all but one of his Red Bull contracts have been signed in the Austrian's office at on of his Graz hotels Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has fired a hands-off warning to Mercedes, saying: " Max Verstappen is our greatest asset." The Silver Arrows are courting the four-time Formula 1 champion with Brit George Russell likely to be the fall-guy if they get the Dutchman. But Red Bull insist they are convinced their star man will stick around, while Verstappen refused to answer questions on the topic at Silverstone this week. For Marko, Verstappen's closest ally in F1 outside of his racer father Jos and manager Raymond Vermeulen, it is critical that the 27-year-old remains. The 82-year-old special advisor said: "Max is our greatest asset. We have achieved most of our successes in recent years mainly thanks to him." Verstappen slipped through Mercedes' fingers once before as a teenager, when he rejected Toto Wolff to sign with Red Bull who could offer him a clearer and quicker route to F1. He quickly developed a bond with Marko who is a man not easily impressed, but was so in his first meeting with the youngster back in 2014. He said: "Max was not nervous at all. He had prepared well, knew how many cans of Red Bull sold worldwide and that kind of stuff. An older mind in a young body." That first Red Bull contract was signed in "some coffee shop at Dusseldorf airport". All of Verstappen's subsequent deals have been thrashed out and agreed in Marko's office at one of his hotels in Graz, Austria. That includes his current one, signed in early 2022 after Verstappen's first title success, which runs until the end of 2028 and is worth around £55million per year, before bonuses. But with Red Bull seemingly on the decline and McLaren now the dominant force on the F1 grid, there are parallels to the story of the team's other four-time champion. Sebastian Vettel quit in 2014, feeling Ferrari would offer him a better chance of more success, but Marko insists Verstappen's current situation "is different". He said: "At that time it was clear that we could not win, with a Renault engine. Sergio Marchionne was then the boss of Ferrari and a real racer. I remember him coming up to me after Max's first win in Barcelona in 2016. He said, 'Your boy is really something special.'" Red Bull are building their own engines for 2026 with Mercedes tipped to adapt best to the new regulations, as they did in 2014 when hybrids were first introduced. That could factor into Verstappen's decision but Marko insists there is no evidence that the Silver Arrows will be any better off. He said: "Everyone is talking about next year's engines and yes, we have our own model for the first time. Nobody has proof that Mercedes has next year's best [power unit]. It's not just about the combustion engine, but also battery and petrol. Who knows? Our engine might just be competitive." On Friday, team principal Christian Horner said he expects the team to be "in a competitive position" with its first in-house power unit, but admitted: "To expect us to be ahead of Mercedes next year is... It would be embarrassing for Mercedes if we were, or for any manufacturer."
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Red Bull's Marko: Vettel's return 'not on the cards' for now
Sebastian Vettel's return to his former Red Bull Formula One team as an official is "not on the cards at the moment," team advisor Helmut Mark has said. "The succession plan is something that is of course on the table, but there are no concrete names and no concrete talks," Marko told Sky TV on Friday at the Austrian Grand Prix. Advertisement Earlier this week, Vettel revealed that he was in early talks with his former team and Marko about the idea of succeeding the 82-year-old Austrian when his contract with the team ends in 2026. "We're in contact about this, though maybe not so intensively or in-depth yet, but it's possible," Vettel told Austrian broadcasters ORF. "What form that might take will have to be seen. He's already said a few times that he'd stop, but he's still here, and I wish him all the best so that he stays around for a very long time." Marko has been involved with Red Bull since the team's beginnings in 2005. He has previously described Vettel as the "ideal candidate" to replace him. Advertisement Vettel won his four F1 titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 before moving to Ferrari in 2015, where he stayed until 2020. The German driver retired in 2022 after two years with Aston Martin. Since then, the father of three has been particularly committed to diversity and sustainability projects.
