Photo: RacePictures.

Marko accused of protecting Horner against late Red Bull owner's wishes

16:30, 17 Dec

byNorberto Mujica

According to Ralf Schumacher, Helmut Marko has no reason to complain about Christian Horner, as the Austrian failed to sack the Briton when he had the chance.

"But as much as I like Helmut, I have to remind him that even during Dietrich Mateschitz's lifetime, he had the chance to sack Horner. Back then, the two were very, very close and had united around a particular cause."

- Ralf Schumacher.

Ralf Schummacher offers a very different account to Helmut Marko's of Christian Horner's situation at Red Bull. Photo: RacePictures.

Marko accused Horner of 'playing dirty games' and destroyed Red Bull Racing's press release as 'utter nonsense'.

However, Schumacher offers a different account of things. "It was clear: there were two camps," the six-time Grand Prix winner told Sky Sports Germany.

"But as much as I like Helmut, I have to remind him that even during Dietrich Mateschitz's lifetime, he had the chance to sack Horner. Back then, the two were very, very close and had united around a particular cause.

"In fact, they were actually planning to do a big deal together," Schumacher added. "I won't say which one now, that wouldn't be entirely fair, but Marko knows exactly what I mean."

'Marko went against Mateschitz wishes'

Schumacher claims late Red Bull co-founder and minority owner Dietrich Mateschitz already had his eye on axing Horner, but Marko didn't pull the trigger. "At the time, Mateschitz already wanted to get rid of Horner, because he did not consider him loyal. That didn't sit well with Mateschitz either, [that Marko didn't axe Horner]."

"Especially after Mateschitz had died and Horner, thanks to the Thai shareholder with whom he had a very good relationship and which he had deliberately built up, got such a strong position, the Red Bull side from Salzburg, and also Marko, were somewhat powerless.

"That's exactly why I have to say: he's right, but it's also a bit of hanging out dirty laundry that he himself could have prevented. That's just the situation now," Schumacher concluded.

Schumacher takes shot at Horner: 'Team was a disaster'

Schumacher backed Marko’s criticism of Horner overall, saying Red Bull “was a disaster” that quickly fell apart under the Briton's control. Read his full comments here.

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