When Helmut Marko Demanded Christian Horner to Pay All the Money “Up Front” Before Red Bull Days

Christian Horner and Helmut Marko work closely every day in their roles at Red Bull, but their first interaction goes way back. Long before they crossed paths in F1, Horner started his own racing team along with his father Garry named Arden.

In 1996, Horner was working on the logistics while setting up his team, and for most of the equipment, he outsourced his inventory. Horner traveled to Graz in Austria, where he met Marko, who was the team principal of RSM Marko at the time. Since Marko was heavily involved in the world of racing, Horner thought of asking him for a trailer that he wanted to buy for Arden.

Helmut Marko insists ‘there is nothing’ to Christian Horner rumours

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In an interview with Racing News 365, Horner revealed how Marko interviewed him before selling a trailer. The Austrian wanted to know what he needed it for, and what his plans were with Arden. After that, they agreed on a price and Horner was ready to buy it but there was a catch.

Marko had no problem in selling the trailer and even told Horner he would have it delivered to Calais, France. The only thing Horner had to do was pay the complete amount “up front”. Horner, who felt that Marko was a “decent guy”, trusted him and did what he was asked to.

Christian Horner was anxious about Helmut Marko betraying his trust

Horner paid the full amount to Marko because he felt like he could trust him. However, he was anxious about the future Red Bull advisor betraying his trust since they didn’t know each other. Horner recalls his father wondering where all the money went, and being surprised when he got to know that he didn’t just pay a small deposit, but paid the whole amount.

“I said, ‘No, I paid the whole lot! He seemed like a decent guy,” Horner said. “I must have rang him every day for a week until the trailer arrived. But that was really when I first met him, in his hotel in Graz.”

Horner and Marko first met during their interaction regarding a trailer sale back in 1996. Nine years later, their paths would cross again when they took control of Red Bull in F1, and worked together in driving the team’s success eventually.

Horner doesn’t see Marko leaving F1 anytime soon

Over the last few weeks, rumors about Marko’s retirement from F1 have began to surface. The Graz-born former F1 driver turned 80 last week, and is already 15 years past his retirement age. Horner, however, doesn’t think Marko will leave anytime soon.

Despite his old age, Horner revealed that Marko is just as energetic and passionate as he was 20 years ago.

“We’ve always enjoyed a great relationship,” he added. “It’s been great working with him through all these years, and I think there’s a few more years in the old dog yet.”