The ongoing turmoil surrounding Red Bull Racing has taken another turn, with Helmut Marko confirming the existence of a lawsuit against the team. The case, which revolves around allegations against team principal Christian Horner, is due to be heard in a British employment tribunal in January 2026. However, Marko has expressed hope that a settlement can be reached before then, allowing the situation to be resolved without further litigation.

The controversy surrounding Christian Horner first erupted in early 2024 when allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against the Red Bull team principal by a female employee. The allegations, which were initially not made public in detail, led to an internal investigation by Red Bull’s parent company.

The investigation quickly became a major talking point in the F1 world, with speculation and reports of tensions within the team’s management.

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Red Bull claimed the allegations closed

In February 2024, Horner was formally interviewed as part of the investigation, and while the team remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the allegations, the situation created significant uncertainty within Red Bull Racing. Just days before the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Red Bull announced that the investigation had been concluded and that Horner had been cleared of any wrongdoing.

But the controversy did not end there. Shortly after the verdict, leaks of alleged messages and evidence relating to the case circulated online, fueling further debate about the integrity of the internal review process.

Despite Horner’s protestations of innocence and the support of Red Bull’s British leadership, reports suggested that the case had deepened internal divisions within the organisation. Red Bull’s Austrian management, particularly those close to Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg, were said to be unhappy with the way the situation had been handled. In contrast, the Thai side of the business ownership openly supported Horner.

Tensions between Horner and Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko also became increasingly public, with speculation that power struggles within the team were escalating. The fallout from the case has continued throughout the season, with the latest legal action signalling that the issue is far from resolved.

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Red Bull’s legal battle set for 2026

Recent reports have suggested that Red Bull will face legal action in a UK employment tribunal in 2026, although the UK media has been restricted from reporting details due to a Reporting Restriction Order (RRO). The legal action stems from allegations made by a former Red Bull employee against Horner, an issue that has already caused considerable internal tension within the team.

Earlier this week, De Telegraaf revealed that the former employee had officially taken the case to the Labour Court, a report later confirmed by GPblog. This means that the controversy surrounding Red Bull’s leadership is far from over, despite Horner being cleared following an internal team investigation earlier this year.

In an interview with Austrian publication oe24, Marko confirmed the existence of the lawsuit and gave an insight into why the case will not be heard for nearly two years.

“Because the British jurisdiction has such long lead times. But I hope that peace will be restored before then, that a settlement can be reached, so that it can be settled out of court, for example,” Marko explained.

While acknowledging the legal proceedings, Marko remained tight-lipped on the public reaction to Horner, who has been booed by some sections of the crowd in recent weeks. “I’m not going to comment on that,” Marko said, refusing to be drawn further into the controversy.

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Internal turmoil continues at Red Bull

Although Marko remains hopeful that the situation will stabilise, others in the paddock believe that Red Bull’s internal struggles are far from over. Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has voiced his doubts about the team’s ability to regain stability in the near future.

“I don’t think things will be calm again,” Schumacher told Sky Sports Germany. “He [Horner] is someone who wants to keep everything under control and take on more and more responsibility. I think he has done that. That he has ensured internally that Red Bull in Salzburg is more concerned with other sports, football and so on. I think [Red Bull boss] Mintzlaff is also more in tune with that.

Schumacher’s comments underline the growing perception that Horner has consolidated power within the team amid ongoing infighting. With tensions reportedly escalating between Red Bull Racing’s British operations and the company’s Austrian headquarters, concerns remain over the long-term management of the team.

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Marko exit expected as future remains uncertain

Amid the controversy surrounding Horner, Marko’s own future at Red Bull remains uncertain. The long-time advisor has been at odds with Horner in recent months, with reports suggesting that internal power struggles have strained their working relationship.

While Marko has publicly played down speculation about his departure, his recent comments suggest he is keen for the team to move on from the current turmoil. Whether that means a settlement of the ongoing legal dispute or a reshuffle of leadership roles remains to be seen.

For the time being, Red Bull has to deal with internal discord as well as legal issues. With the 2026 hearing still a long way off, the team’s ability to manage the situation in the meantime could prove crucial to maintaining stability within the organisation.

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Verstappen could follow Marko out of Red Bull

If Helmut Marko were to leave Red Bull, it could have a significant impact on Max Verstappen’s future with the team. Marko has been a key figure in Verstappen’s career from the outset, spotting his talent early on and pushing for his rapid promotion to F1 at the age of 17.

Over the years, the two have developed a close relationship, with Marko serving as a mentor and strong supporter of Verstappen within Red Bull’s leadership structure. Given this deep connection, Marko’s potential departure could leave Verstappen feeling uncertain about his long-term position within the team.

Verstappen has always been vocal about his loyalty to the people who have helped shape his career, and Marko is one of the most influential figures in that regard. If internal conflicts at Red Bull result in Marko being forced out, it could be seen as a shift in the power dynamics within the organisation – one that Verstappen may not be comfortable with.

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Christian Horner has already consolidated considerable control within the team, and reports suggest that his influence at Red Bull’s Salzburg headquarters has grown. If Marko, a strong counterbalance to Horner’s authority, were to leave, Verstappen may not feel the same level of confidence in Red Bull’s leadership.

Furthermore, Verstappen’s long-term contract with Red Bull, which runs until the end of 2028, is not an absolute guarantee that he will stay. Recent reports suggest that Verstappen’s contract contains performance-related release clauses and if he is unhappy with the direction of the team, he could seek an early exit.

The fact that his father, Jos Verstappen, has also been critical of Horner in recent months suggests that tensions are growing within the Verstappen camp. If Marko were to be removed or sidelined, it could accelerate Verstappen’s thoughts of leaving, potentially opening the door for a shock move to a rival team such as Mercedes, or even a future return to Red Bull’s former engine partner Honda when they re-enter F1 with Aston Martin in 2026.

For now, Verstappen remains committed to Red Bull, but his future could be closely linked to Marko’s fate. If Red Bull’s leadership undergoes a major shake-up that sees key figures who have supported Verstappen sidelined, it would not be surprising to see the reigning champion reassess his options in the coming years.

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