Helmut Marko has launched a fierce attack on Christian Horner’s autobiography, dismissing its allegations as a collection of low-level untruths and describing the timing of its publication as an embarrassment. The former Red Bull adviser has rejected accusations made by his former colleague, reopening the bitter dispute that divided the Formula 1 team’s leadership during the final years of their two-decade working relationship.
Christian Horner released his autobiography, Drive, on 22 October 2026, following a series of interviews with newspapers and podcasts to promote the book. The former Red Bull team principal has used those appearances to discuss his time at Milton Keynes and has not held back in his criticism of Helmut Marko, who has also left the organisation after more than 20 years of success.
Helmut Marko attacks Christian Horner over Red Bull autobiography
Although neither Christian Horner nor Helmut Marko remains at Red Bull, their long-running disagreement shows little sign of ending. The tensions that marked Christian Horner’s final period in charge continued even after his dismissal, with the former colleagues offering sharply different accounts of the internal difficulties that affected the team.
Christian Horner’s autobiography provides his perspective on the events that unfolded during Red Bull’s two successful eras in Formula 1, including the internal relationships and disagreements that developed behind the scenes.
However, Helmut Marko considers the book embarrassing, both because of its contents and because of the date chosen for its publication.
The autobiography was released on 22 October, exactly four years after the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022. That anniversary carries particular significance for the organisation, and Helmut Marko has openly criticised the decision to publish the book on that date.
Helmut Marko dismisses Christian Horner’s allegations as lies
Speaking to Austrian newspaper Krone, Helmut Marko refused to respond individually to the accusations contained in Christian Horner’s autobiography, instead offering a sweeping rejection of the former team principal’s account.
“It’s a collection of untruths of such a low calibre that I won’t even comment on them,” Helmut Marko said.
The Austrian was equally critical of the publication date, highlighting its coincidence with the anniversary of Dietrich Mateschitz’s death.
“The fact that the book is being published on the very day Dietrich died is an embarrassment,” Helmut Marko added.
The comments underline how deeply the relationship between the two former Red Bull figures has deteriorated. Having worked together through two championship-winning periods, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko now appear to remain divided over the events that brought their long association to an end.
Helmut Marko denies claim involving Christian Horner’s former partner
While Helmut Marko declined to address every accusation, there was one allegation he was particularly determined to challenge.
Christian Horner had accused the Austrian of working behind the scenes to secure his dismissal from Red Bull during a period when his former partner, Beverley Allen, was dying.
The former team principal also alleged that Helmut Marko had failed to offer his condolences following her death, a claim the Austrian firmly rejected.
“That’s not true. I offered him my condolences,” Helmut Marko insisted.
According to Krone, Helmut Marko showed the journalist a message on his mobile phone as evidence that he had contacted Christian Horner.
The disagreement adds a deeply personal dimension to the already strained relationship between the two men, extending their dispute beyond disagreements over the management of Red Bull’s Formula 1 operation.
Christian Horner accuses Helmut Marko of damaging Red Bull from within
Beyond the personal allegations, Christian Horner’s autobiography also contains criticism of Helmut Marko’s conduct during their years working together.
The former team principal essentially accuses Helmut Marko of obstructing the organisation and creating difficulties through inappropriate statements to the media. Christian Horner claims that his former colleague disclosed confidential information about car upgrades and relationships with drivers, potentially undermining the team’s internal operations.
Their differences also extended to decisions about Red Bull’s driver line-up. Christian Horner has described disagreements over potential signings, including Helmut Marko’s opposition to a possible move for Lewis Hamilton during the early stages of the British driver’s Formula 1 career.
Helmut Marko has rejected the negative portrayal of his behaviour, but his refusal to engage with most of the individual accusations leaves the competing accounts unresolved.
The dispute has therefore continued beyond their respective departures from Red Bull. Rather than bringing closure to their time together, the publication of Drive has brought their disagreements back into the spotlight, with Helmut Marko now publicly challenging both the accuracy of Christian Horner’s recollections and the decision to release the book on an anniversary closely associated with the team’s history.
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