Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has made it clear that he disagrees with Helmut Marko’s comments about former team principal Christian Horner. The Austrian advisor gave a sensational interview after announcing his retirement from F1 in the aftermath of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Marko spent over 20 years with Red Bull, guiding the team since its inception. However, after watching Max Verstappen fall just two points short of a fifth consecutive World Championship title in Abu Dhabi, he quit F1 aged 82.

After his exit, he gave a bold interview with De Telegraaf, in which he alleged that Horner played “dirty games” within the media to disparage his position within the team, and that, had he been dismissed sooner than the British Grand Prix, Verstappen would have won the World Championship.

Mintzlaff was asked about Marko’s comments in a fresh interview with De Telegraaf. “Those words about Christian are Helmut’s own,” he replied. “I can’t say anything negative about Christian. Simply because he meant a lot to Red Bull.

“But there always comes a time when things aren’t going well, and then, as a company, you have to make a decision. Are you going to give someone more time, or is it time for a new leader? We felt it was time for a change. I disagree with Helmut’s statements.

“Yes, it’s logical that things change within an organisation. Perhaps Dr Marko has changed over the years as well. I think it’s quite normal that not everything is the same as it was five years ago. Christian and Helmut have worked together wonderfully for many years, since the start in 2005. So we’re talking about more than twenty years.

“Give me a few examples of other major sports organisations where the leadership team remains the same for so long. So you could look at it very negatively that they’re both gone now. But I would say it’s unique that they’ve been here together for so long and have achieved so much. Sometimes you just need a change to shake things up.”

In a later question about Verstappen’s future and the team’s prospects for the new technical regulations in 2026, Mintzlaff praised the work that Horner did to set Red Bull up for success with their new power unit programme.

He continued: “I know we have incredibly good people. And it’s not just about the engine, but also about the chassis. Christian Horner has also brought in a lot of good people in recent years; just look at the engine department.

“Staff will always leave if a competitor makes a good offer. But I also think many people see that there’s a different atmosphere here now. And that they see Red Bull as a winning, cool team that gives talent the opportunity to develop themselves.”