Ralf Schumacher criticizes Helmut Marko's 'dirty laundry' comments on Christian Horner

Ralf Schumacher has criticized Helmut Marko for publicly airing grievances about Christian Horner only after his own departure from Red Bull, calling it an act of "hanging out dirty laundry" that Marko himself could have prevented earlier. The former F1 driver pointed out that Marko had the opportunity to act against Horner while Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz was still alive but failed to do so.

Why it matters:

Marko's explosive exit interview, where he accused Horner of "dirty games" and claimed Max Verstappen would have won the 2025 title had Horner been fired sooner, has reopened old wounds within the Red Bull power struggle. Schumacher's rebuttal highlights the internal complexities and missed opportunities that have shaped the team's recent turbulent history, suggesting the public fallout could have been avoided with more decisive leadership in the past.

The details:

Schumacher revealed that the rift between Horner and the Austrian faction, including Mateschitz, existed long before the founder's death. He stated that Mateschitz himself had wanted to remove Horner due to loyalty concerns but was ultimately prevented from doing so. According to Schumacher, Horner strategically built a "very good relationship" with the Thai shareholders, led by Charlem Yoovidhya, which solidified his power base after Mateschitz's passing, leaving the Salzburg side "somewhat powerless."

• Missed Opportunity: Schumacher emphasized that Marko had the chance to sack Horner during Mateschitz's lifetime when the two were aligned, but no action was taken.
• Post-Mateschitz Power Shift: Following the founder's death, Horner's alliance with the Thai shareholders became his primary source of authority within the company.
• Internal Cost: Schumacher corroborated Marko's view that Horner's leadership style was damaging, leading to a loss of "a lot of good people" and creating an environment where "nobody wanted to come anymore" to the team.
• The Payout: Horner's eventual removal in July 2025 came with a significant buy-out, reported to be around £52 million, which Schumacher suggests includes an "obligation of silence."

Between the lines:

Schumacher's critique centers on timing and dignity. While he agrees with the substance of Marko's claims about Horner's divisive impact, he believes the veteran adviser should have voiced these concerns "when he was still in office and with dignity" in a calm manner, rather than in a controversial "afterthought." This public spat between two Red Bull insiders exposes the lingering bitterness and factional loyalties that continue to define the team's narrative, even after key figures have departed. It underscores how personal relationships and power dynamics, more than just on-track performance, have dictated Red Bull's internal stability for years.