Horner says Marko told him to rule out Leclerc and Alonso for Red Bull

Christian Horner says Helmut Marko told him to drop the idea of signing Charles Leclerc for Red Bull and that a deal for Fernando Alonso would not happen either. Horner had both drivers on his list as potential replacements for Sergio Pérez after the 2024 season, and as possible teammates for Max Verstappen.

Horner recounts the discussions in his autobiography, Drive, due to be published on 22 October. He considered Leclerc an ideal fit, citing the Ferrari driver’s speed, strength over one lap and determination. Horner also saw him as a team player who could fill the gap if Pérez continued to struggle.

Horner writes that Alonso told him at the Japanese Grand Prix that he wanted to race alongside Verstappen the following season. He says Marko had conveyed that Verstappen’s management was unhappy with the idea.

Horner does not identify who made the final decision. He says he immediately believed it did not come from Verstappen, and that someone had judged the move wrong for Red Bull; Horner says he was disappointed.

Red Bull ultimately chose Liam Lawson, who was sent back to the sister team after two races. Yuki Tsunoda then got the chance alongside Verstappen.