Marko: Red Bull did not know of Verstappen's karting success

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Archive photograph: Max Verstappen · Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort 2024 · 2024-08-25Archive photo · 2024-08-25 · Steffen Prößdorf · CC BY-SA 4.0

Helmut Marko says Red Bull did not know of Max Verstappen's success in karting and that its relationship with the driver grew closer later, during Formula 3. Horner's forthcoming memoir gives a different account of the signing.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · 12 Oct 2026, 01:49 · 1 min

In an interview with Austrian outlet oe24, Helmut Marko said Red Bull did not know of Max Verstappen's success in karting: “we had no idea about that.” He said Red Bull and Verstappen grew closer later, during Formula 3.

Marko's account comes amid differing versions of Verstappen's route to Red Bull. Christian Horner's forthcoming autobiography, *Drive*, is due for release on 22 October. Horner says Marko did not want the young Verstappen in the team and alleges that Jos Verstappen played a decisive role in securing the deal.

Ralf Schumacher recalled that Marko approached Verstappen when he was 11½, but that Jos felt it was too early. Marko backed Schumacher's account, saying the timing was not right during Verstappen's early karting years.

Sources 02