Helmut Marko: Horner 'did not agree' with Verstappen's 2016 promotion

Helmut Marko claims former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner “did not agree” with promoting Max Verstappen to the senior team in 2016, just four races into his second F1 season. Despite internal opposition, Marko and late owner Dietrich Mateschitz pushed the switch, replacing Daniil Kvyat — a gamble that paid off instantly with a debut win and, eventually, four consecutive world championships from 2021 to 2024.

Why it matters:

This behind-the-scenes friction reveals how pivotal Marko’s judgment was in shaping Red Bull’s golden era. Without his conviction, Verstappen’s rise might have been delayed or even derailed, altering the entire competitive landscape of Formula 1 over the past decade.

The details:

• In an interview with De Telegraaf, Marko said Horner was against promoting Verstappen after only four races in 2016, adding that “many rivals and critics attacked me” for the move.
• Marko first met Verstappen when he was 15 and was immediately impressed by his potential.
• Kvyat, who had outperformed Daniel Ricciardo in 2015, struggled in 2016 with crashes and brake complaints, prompting Marko and Mateschitz to act.
• Verstappen’s father, Jos, sensed the promotion was coming and arranged a meeting in Austria. Marko noted they expected criticism but were used to it.
• Debut triumph: Verstappen won the 2016 Spanish GP after Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg collided on the first lap. He held off Kimi Räikkönen with mature defending, silencing critics.
• Marko described that victory as “enormous relief” for himself and Mateschitz, proving their bold decision had been right.

What's next:

Verstappen’s legacy is now cemented, but the revelation keeps alive a narrative of internal Red Bull tension. As the team navigates the 2026 regulation changes and a post-Newey era, the question lingers whether Horner and Marko’s relationship remains as strained — or whether Verstappen’s continued success has smoothed over old disagreements.