{
  "id": 12616444,
  "title": "Helmut Marko backs Ralf Schumacher’s 'absolute lie' comment on Christian Horner",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/helmut-marko-backs-ralf-schumachers-absolute-lie-comment-on-christian-12616444",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T11:31:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Motorsport.com",
    "slug": "motorsport-com",
    "url": "https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/marko-backs-ralf-schumachers-absolute-lie-response-to-christian-horners-claim/10862687/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Helmut Marko has dismissed Christian Horner's controversial claim in his upcoming autobiography, stating that it is an \"absolute lie.\" Marko rebuked Horner's portrayal of events surrounding the signing of Max Verstappen, alleging that Marko himself opposed Verstappen's inclusion in the team. Marko's defense was supported by former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, who passionately refuted Horner's account. Schumacher recounted how Marko approached young Verstappen at the age of 11 and a half, noting that Jos Verstappen initially thought his son was too young for the move. Marko emphasized that the decision was simply not feasible during Verstappen's karting days, and that their paths would cross again later, leading to Max's success in Formula 3. The tension between Horner and Marko dates back to post-Dietrich Mateschitz era, culminating in Horner's departure from Red Bull Racing.",
  "summary": "Christian Horner's upcoming autobiography, Drive, is already causing massive shockwaves ahead of its 22 October release. The former Red Bull Racing team principal, who departed the Milton Keynes squad in 2025, used his book to drop several bombshells about his time at the top of Formula 1. One of Christian Horner's most controversial claims centres around the signing of four-time World Champion…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Helmut Marko backs Ralf Schumacher’s 'absolute lie' comment on Christian Horner",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/helmut-marko-backs-ralf-schumachers-absolute-lie-comment-on-christian",
        "published": "2026-10-07T11:31:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Motorsport.com",
        "title": "Helmut Marko says F1’s return to turbo V8 engines in 2030 is a \"done deal\"",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/helmut-marko-says-f1s-return-to-turbo-v8-engines-in-2030-is-a-done",
        "published": "2026-10-07T14:00:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}