Red Bull Racing team principal, Christian Horner, expressed surprise at the recent statement made by Red Bull Motorsport Consultant, Dr. Helmut Marko, suggesting that he could face suspension before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Although Red Bull’s performance on track has been exceptional, attention has been diverted to the consequences of an investigation into allegations against Horner. Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, Jos Verstappen, father of Max Verstappen, raised concerns that Horner’s presence could harm harmony within the Red Bull team. Marko added further uncertainty by revealing that he was unsure about his own future with the team. However, before the race in Jeddah, Marko confirmed that the issue had been resolved, catching Horner off guard. “The suspension rumors were as surprising to us as to everyone else. It was an internal matter between Red Bull GmbH and Helmut, and we were not involved in those discussions,” Horner commented. He also emphasized the long-standing relationship he has with Marko, highlighting his significant contributions to the team over the years. Despite being 81 years old, Marko’s passion for Formula 1 remains unwavering, which Horner sees as a positive aspect. Addressing rumors of any tension in their relationship, Horner stated that there are no issues and acknowledged Marko’s straightforward nature as part of his character. Horner emphasized the importance of each individual’s role within the team and credited the team’s success to its stability over an extended period.
Marko’s involvement in Verstappen’s hiring by Red Bull and his recent string of successes has strengthened the bond between the Dutch driver’s camp and the Austrian team. When asked about Marko’s suggestion that he could leave, Verstappen, who has been linked to a possible move to Mercedes, indicated that this could affect his future with Red Bull. However, Horner emphasized that, while they value Verstappen’s opinion, decisions related to Red Bull are ultimately made in the best interest of the team. Horner stated: “We have a strong relationship with Max and take his opinions into consideration. But ultimately, the team will always prioritize what is best for the team, whether it’s strategic decisions, race decisions, future plans, engine choices, or sponsorship choices.”
Asked if Verstappen’s comments influenced the decision-making process regarding Marko, Horner replied: “There was no decision-making process involving Helmut, so I’m not sure where these rumors came from. It’s not something I’ve been involved in.” Despite the disruptions behind the scenes, Red Bull’s success on the track has remained uninterrupted, as they secured a second consecutive 1-2 in Jeddah. Horner, who had previously expressed his frustration with the intrusion into his family, reiterated that the team remains united and focused on defending their championships. He stated: “Our focus is on winning, and that’s what we excel at and what we achieved today. That’s how we started this season. I’m aware of all the noise, but it hasn’t distracted the team from their work. We are a cohesive unit.”
Regarding the speculation surrounding Marko, Horner clarified: “Helmut doesn’t work for me or for Red Bull Racing; he works for Red Bull GmbH. However, it is clear that he is determined to continue our incredible winning streak and is looking towards the future.”
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Portugal defeats Spain in an exciting football match
In the last preparation game before the start of the European Championship, Portugal defeated Spain in an exciting match. Both teams showed exceptional performance, providing a high-quality spectacle for football fans.
The game started with a quick goal from Spain, which opened the scoring in the early minutes. However, Portugal did not back down and quickly equalized with a beautiful goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. From there, the match was very balanced, with both teams creating goal-scoring opportunities.
In the second half, Portugal managed to turn the game around with a goal from Bernardo Silva. Spain did not give up and pressed for an equalizer, but the Portuguese defense remained firm. In the final minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo scored another goal, securing Portugal’s 3-1 victory.
With this win, Portugal demonstrated its strength and preparation for the European Championship. The players showed excellent teamwork and a high level of skill, leaving Portuguese fans excited for the competition.
Now, we just have to wait for the start of the European Championship to see if Portugal can repeat the performance shown in this game. Football fans are eager to see the European teams in action and hope for an exciting competition full of great matches.
