Marko Hopes Horner Case Settled Out-Of-Court

F1 Grand Prix Of Singapore Final Practice
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 21: Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko look on in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix Of Singapore Final Practice
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 21: Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko look on in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Dr Helmut Marko is hoping the latest development in the Christian Horner saga will be resolved before it reaches court.

Although UK courts have barred the British media from reporting about it, De Telegraaf (Holland) revealed last week that the female staff member who complained about the Red Bull boss last year will have a case heard at the employment tribunal next January.

British journalists may be muted for now, but the partisan crowd at London’s O2 arena recently expressed their views about Horner in the form of widespread booing.

“I have no comment on that,” Marko told Osterreich newspaper.

He admits, however, that the Horner legal affair is still ongoing, even if it will not be until January of 2026 when it finally hits the courtroom.

“The English jurisdiction has such long lead times,” said Marko, 81. “But I hope that things will calm down before then and that there will be a settlement.”

It is rumoured, however, that Max Verstappen and his father Jos are furious that the situation is still not resolved – and are looking into a 2026 move to Mercedes or Aston Martin.

“Every top team boss who wants to fight for the world championship title must be interested in Max,” Marko said. “But now we want to win the fifth title.”

Jos, though, bristled at Dutch journalist Jack Plooij who declared on Ziggo Sport that Verstappen-to-Mercedes for 2026 is basically already a done deal.

“Jack Jack Jack,” Verstappen senior said on X. “What nonsense you talk.”

At the same time, Marko fully acknowledges that 2025 is a critical season for the Verstappen-Red Bull collaboration.

“We have to give Max a car that he can use to win the world championship,” he told Sport1. “If that’s the case, I’m not worried about a possible change.

“After the tests in Bahrain, I’m in good spirits. The test was positive and the car reacts to changes in the setup. We’re still behind McLaren, but not that much. Maybe two tenths at most.”

From F1 news to tech, history to opinions, F1 Chronicle has a free Substack. To deliver the stories you want straight to your inbox, click here.

New to Formula 1? Check out our Glossary of F1 Terms, and our Beginners Guide to Formula 1 to fast-track your F1 knowledge.

Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More in News

250530 Sfhp F1 R09 Spagna Ca R0915023 E47f5afb 8155 4d3f 9b20 0daac660dda8

Lewis Hamilton Asks Ferrari To Focus On 2026 Car

Lewis Hamilton thinks it may be time for Ferrari to ...
Arvid Lindblad

FIA Could Green-Light Arvid Lindblad For F1 Next Week

Arvid Lindblad could be on the Formula 1 grid soon. ...
2025 Spanish Grand Prix, Sunday - Toto Wolff (image courtesy Mercedes)

Angry Taxi Drivers Hit Back At Mercedes’ Toto Wolff

Italian taxi drivers have amusingly returned fire at Mercedes team ...
Was Crashgate A Real Thing? - Piquet Never Intended To 'Harm' Massa

Briatore ‘Never Spoke’ With Piquet About Crashgate

Flavio Briatore has reiterated his innocence some decade and a ...
F1 Grand Prix Of Abu Dhabi Practice

Verstappen Deserved FIA’s Spanish GP Slap – Marko

Dr Helmut Marko says Max Verstappen deserved to be penalised ...

Trending on F1 Chronicle