Christian Horner has said he wanted to sign Fernando Alonso or Charles Leclerc to Red Bull but was blocked by former Formula 1 Team Advisor Helmut Marko.
Horner was ousted as Red Bull’s Team Principal and CEO in July last year after the British Grand Prix.
Replaced by Laurent Mekies at the Milton-Keynes-based squad, the Briton has had time for reflection on his storied two-decade-long career with the team.
And with that, Horner will release his memoir Drive later this month. In the book, Horner has laid bare about his time with Red Bull, including a potential Fernando Alonso signing which was eventually blocked by Marko.
Horner explained how Sergio Perez’s sharp dip in form had prompted him to start looking for alternatives in the paddock when Alonso approached him.
“Sergio Perez’s form was unrecognisable compared to the driver he had been in previous seasons. I decided to look for a possible replacement,” he wrote.
“During the Japanese Grand Prix, Fernando even told me that he really wanted to drive alongside Max the following season.
“Subsequently, Helmut [Marko], apparently on behalf of Verstappen’s management team, made it clear that they were not happy with that idea.”
Christian Horner reveals Charles Leclerc Red Bull conversations
After a stalled attempt to get the two-time F1 World Champion to drive alongside Verstappen, Horner claimed to have shifted his focus onto Leclerc.
But the Briton revealed how, once again, it was Marko who had firmly shut the doors on that move, too.
“I thought he [Leclerc] could be the perfect driver for us,” Horner explained.
“He was fast, strong over one lap, and had a determined character. Sure, he made a mistake now and then, which Red Bull had capitalised on, but whatever the situation, he never criticised Ferrari.
“Charles was a team player, and I felt he could fill the gap if Sergio dropped further back. Moreover, he seemed frustrated at Ferrari.
“Shortly afterwards, Helmut told me that I should just forget about Charles as well. Just like with Fernando, it wasn’t going to happen.”
Horner, however, quickly realised that resistance was not coming directly from the Dutchman’s camp.
“I knew immediately that that order did not come from Max,” he claimed.
“But someone had decided somewhere that it wasn’t the right move for Red Bull. I was disappointed.”
Drive will be released in the UK on the 22nd of October, and early next year in the US and other regions.
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