Reports are emerging about internal disagreements at Red Bull – concerning their 2025 driver line-up. Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are understood to have different ideas on who should drive alongside Max Verstappen. This disagreement could have major consequences.
Significance of Red Bull’s power struggle
For the last two decades, Red Bull’s decisions have been determined by Christian Horner and Helmut Marko.
Both individuals played a key role in promoting and replacing at Red Bull and VCARB.
Whilst differences in opinion were common between, the pair often found a way to reach compromises.
In 2023, for example, it was Helmut Marko that wanted Nyck De Vries to join AlphaTauri.
When the Dutchman failed to reach expectations, Daniel Ricciardo (Horner’s preference) was given the seat mid-season.
However, the balance of power at Milton Keynes is very different to what it was twelve months ago.
Christian Horner now enjoys more influence in Red Bull’s driver decisions, whilst Marko’s impact is now lesser.
This has already been significant in 2024. Daniel Ricciardo, for example, would have been replaced far earlier in the season if Marko had the final say.
However, the Australian held onto his seat until Singapore because of Horner’s insistence.
Liam Lawson vs Franco Colapinto
The two leading candidates to replace Sergio Perez are Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto.
When Lawson’s return to the grid was announced, Red Bull made clear they saw him as a strong candidate to partner Max Verstappen.
Team statements made it abundantly clear that the 22-year-old is being evaluated for a potential promotion.
Indeed, it is understood that Helmut Marko still sees Lawson as Red Bull’s best option for 2025.
According to it.motorsport.com, the 81-year-old wants to have Lawson alongside Verstappen next year.
Marko would then prefer to see Franco Colapinto alongside Yuki Tsunoda at VCARB.
In this scenario, Red Bull would secure Colapinto’s services at VCARB before making any immediate move to the main team.
However, Christian Horner is said to have a different idea for how the team should proceed.
The Red Bull team principal is said to rate Franco Colapinto extremely highly, and therefore willing to put him immediately in a Red Bull seat.
This would see Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda spend another year in the second team – which would almost certainly frustrate them both.
After all, there is a possibility that a driver outside of the team’s academy is promoted before they are.
Winners and losers
Ultimately, the primary consideration for the Milton Keynes squad is assembling the best line-up possible.
Considering Colapinto’s impressive F1 debut, getting his signature is near the top of their priorities.
Of course, the sheer volume of drivers contracted under Red Bull mean there will be winners and losers.
At least one of Tsunoda, Lawson and Perez will end this season frustrated with the outcome. Considering Red Bull’s track record, anticipating their next move is extremely difficult.
The only certainty is that (with Alpine also in the race for Colapinto), there are still several variables to take into account in the market.
