Ralf Schumacher suggests that Red Bull’s recent off-track issues can be traced back to the collapsed deal with Porsche, resulting in a power vacuum following Dietrich Mateschitz’s demise.
The spotlight returned to Red Bull during the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix as the team’s parent company initiated another internal inquiry, focusing on Helmut Marko.
Barely a week after Red Bull GmbH cleared team principal Christian Horner of any misconduct, Marko finds himself under scrutiny.
The investigation centers on numerous information leaks to the press since the onset of the Christian Horner probe, including the leaked email allegedly containing pertinent details.
Schumacher, now a commentator after his F1 career, opines that Red Bull is experiencing the repercussions of a leadership vacuum resulting from Mateschitz’s passing in 2022, closely followed by the collapse of Porsche’s proposed 50 percent acquisition of the F1 outfit.
“Who would have expected such a dynamic?” he shared.
“You have to go back a little further. I know who expected it, but unfortunately, they are no longer with us. That’s why Mateschitz was determined in his plan that Porsche would go in as a 50 percent shareholder because he saw such a development coming.
“In that case, I think Dr. Helmut Marko is annoyed himself because he was there and could have done it that way. Then the situation wouldn’t be there today.
“Since then, the whole thing has drifted apart a bit.
“I don’t want to be in the team’s shoes if suddenly Max’s father Jos can’t come anymore and neither can Dr. Marko. I think that’s wrong and it’s time that all the parties get together.
“There is someone in the middle (Christian Horner) who is causing everything here because he wants to use all his might to keep everything under control. Nobody knows whether that is helpful.”
However, Red Bull has received a cautionary note regarding any potential action against Marko, as it could carry significant repercussions. Triple World Champion Verstappen has indicated that his future with the team is closely tied to Marko’s status.
“For me, Helmut is a very key factor in that and he has to stay for me, for sure,” he stated on Friday evening. “I’ve always said that to the team, they know that.”
In recent days, there has been widespread speculation linking the 26-year-old to Lewis Hamilton’s race seat at Mercedes. Schumacher discussed an escape clause in Verstappen’s contract, suggesting that he has the option to depart if Marko departs from Red Bull.
“Yes, that’s a fact. That’s what I heard and the sources are good,” the German stated.
“I don’t know whether Verstappen is doing that. I think everyone is cutting into their own flesh here. You can see what’s happening here.
“But it’s much worse for all the employees behind it and also for the Red Bull brand.
“In this case, I don’t understand the Thai side and Christian Horner at all. Why they are pushing this through with all their might because: What do we owe to Didi Mateschitz?
“The fact that we are now reacting like this is wrong in my opinion.”
