Max Verstappen: Red Bull driver insists Christian Horner and Helmut Marko must stay at team after feud claims

Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have been with Red Bull since the team joined Formula 1 in 2005; Watch the full United States GP weekend live on Sky Sports F1, with Qualifying at 10pm on Friday, the Sprint at 11pm on Saturday and then the Grand Prix at 8pm on Sunday

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Max Verstappen says Helmut Marko and Christian Horner will stay to continue the Red Bull-winning formula.

Max Verstappen insists Christian Horner and Helmut Marko “should stay” at Red Bull following speculation of a feud between the team’s leading figures.

Ahead of this weekend’s United States GP – live on Sky Sports F1 – Reports emerged that team boss Horner wanted Marko out of the team due to disagreements on various issues, despite Red Bull sealing both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles with five rounds remaining.

Red Bull advisor Marko, who has a big say in selecting the team’s drivers (and the junior AlphaTauri team), says he has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2024, telling the Austrian outlet Oe24 that he, and not Horner, will decide when he leaves the team.

Verstappen, who has just won a third consecutive drivers’ title and has considerable power at Red Bull as the team’s star driver, suggests their successful infrastructure must continue.

At the request of Sky Sports F1 If Horner or Marko’s departure from Red Bull would have consequences for his future with the team, Verstappen replied: “That’s why they’re not leaving.”

Marko (C) and Horner (R) have been key figures in Verstappen’s success

“Everyone remains in exactly the same role. That has never really been a discussion. It is very important when you are doing well, and the team is doing very well, that you keep those people who are very important to the success of the team.” . Everyone knows that.

“From our side it has always been very clear. I don’t know why people outside the team tried to doubt that. From our side it has always been clear that it should remain that way.”

Red Bull comes to Austin a year after the death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who had a good relationship with Marko. Since then, Oliver Mintzlaff has been appointed one of Red Bull’s CEOs and Marko has come under scrutiny for comments towards Sergio Perez when he blamed his work ethic on the Mexican driver’s background.

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Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Red Bull’s senior power unit assembly engineer Calum Nicholas discusses what puts Max Verstappen on a different level compared to previous team drivers

Verstappen, who has won the last two races in Austin, says the mood at Red Bull is good after their championship success.

“People are actually trying to talk some nonsense because I think the mood in the team is very good. Everyone knows exactly what their role is,” he said.

“It was sad when Dietrich passed away last year, but we’ve tried to keep that legacy, keep moving forward and everyone we have on the team now is very important to the success we have. That is why there are no changes for the future. So I think that basically explains it.”

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As Max Verstappen approaches his 50th race win, take a look back at the Red Bull driver’s five biggest race wins

Verstappen has the chance to win his 50th race in F1 on Sunday, one behind Alain Prost’s 51 victories – the fourth most in the history of the championship.

The 26-year-old can also set new records for most wins, podiums and points in a season over the remaining five Grands Prix.

“I want to win. My approach is no different than any other race. I know for myself that if I were to approach it in a different way I would only be annoyed with myself, so that’s why we come here and we want to win.” said Verstappen.

When can you watch the US GP and F1 Academy Final live only on Sky Sports F1?

Friday October 20

• 2.15pm: F1 Academy Exercise One
• 6:00 PM: US GP Practice One (session starts 6:30 PM)
• 7.55pm: F1 Academy practice two
• 9 p.m.: Build-up of qualifying for the American GP
• 10 p.m.: Qualifying for the American GP (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
• 11.30pm: F1 Academy qualifying
• (Saturday) 12:30: Ted’s Qualification Notebook

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Take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments that took place at the United States Grand Prix

Saturday October 21

• 3.30pm: F1 Academy Race One
• 6 p.m.: build-up of the American GP Sprint Shootout
• 6:30 PM: American GP Sprint Shootout
• 9.15pm: F1 Academy Race Two
• 10 p.m.: build-up of the American GP Sprint
• 11 p.m.: American GP SPRINT (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
• (Sunday) 12:30 PM: Ted’s Sprint Notebook

Sunday October 22

• 3.30pm: F1 Academy Race Three
• 6:30 PM: Grand Prix Sunday: build-up to the American GP
• 8 p.m.: THE GRAND PRIZE OF THE UNITED STATES (also on Sky Sports Main Event)
• 10 p.m.: Checkered flag: response from the American GP
• 11pm: Ted’s notebook

Watch Formula 1 return to Texas this weekend for the United States Grand Prix and another sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW