Red Bull principal Christian Horner is reportedly ‘trying to axe’ advisor Helmut Marko as a politic war within the team is coming to light. The partnership of Horner and Marko have helped Red Bull to six Constructors’ Championship titles and led them to becoming the dominant force in F1.
However, Brazilian newspaper Globo have reported that tensions are rising between the leading figures at Red Bull. They state that the ‘struggle for power’ has increased since the death of Austrian tycoon and team founder Didi Mateschitz.
It is claimed that Horner wants full control of the group’s entire F1 operation. The report highlights that Horner has a ‘great influence’ on Red Bull’s feed team AlphaTauri and contributes in discussions about changes of drivers and directors.
The team principal was reportedly involved in the decision to hire new chief executive Peter Bayer, former executive director of the FIA. The report adds that Horner ‘wants to get rid’ of Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, who has recently penned a new deal with AlphaTauri.
READ MORE: Christian Horner plans ‘sit down’ with Sergio Perez after ‘horrible weekend’ in Qatar
Horner could get his wish as Tsunoda has been linked to join Aston Martin, amid reports that Honda representatives pushed through his contract renewal with Red Bull initially resisting. This comes after the emergence of Liam Lawson who finished ninth in the Singapore at just his third Grand Prix.
The Japanese driver is in his third season with AlphaTauri and has scored points in three events with 10th-placed finishes. Tsunoda was the team’s only points scorer until Lawson came in to replace the injured Daniel Ricciardo.
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