The controversy and intrigue involving Red Bull Racing developed further when world champion Max Verstappen suggested he could quit the F1 team if adviser Helmut Marko is removed from his role.
Marko, who was instrumental in bringing world champion Verstappen into the Red Bull programme, reportedly said on Friday that he could be suspended from his role with Red Bull after this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Speaking after he took pole for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen responded to this news by saying: “I have a lot of respect for Helmut, and what we have achieved together. It goes very far. My loyalty to him is very big, and I have always expressed this to everyone within the team, everyone high up, that he is an important part in my decision making for the future.
“It is very important that he stays. I feel like if such an important pillar falls away, and I have told the team this, that it is not good for my situation as well.”
The Dutchman, who has been equivocal in his support for Christian Horner, was clear in his backing for Marko. “I think it’s also very important that you give the man a lot of respect for what he has done,” he said. “That comes back also to loyalty, you know, and integrity. So, yeah it’s important that he stays part of the team, also for me.”
Less than 24 hours after the female employee who made the allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Horner, grievances that were dismissed after an independent investigation, was suspended from her job, Marko was quoted as telling Austrian TV that there is a chance he will not be able to attend the next race in Australia.
Motorsport.com reported that when asked about the possibility of a suspension being imposed Marko said: “I’ll put it this way, it’s difficult to judge, or let’s put it this way, ultimately, I’ll decide for myself what I do. The theoretical possibility always exists.
“I think it’s such a complex issue. Again, we want peace in the team. This world championship will be difficult enough with 24 races and we have to concentrate on that.”
It is believed Marko is under investigation and may face disciplinary action relating to leaks made to the media since the inquiry into Horner began. Red Bull Racing did not respond to requests for comment.
Marko, 80, is understood not to have been suspended yet and the matter is being handled by Red Bull’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH, which also instigated the investigation into Horner and are the employers of Marko rather than Red Bull Racing.
On Thursday of last week, a day after the investigation dismissed the grievance against Horner, the paddock was shocked when an email purporting to contain messages from Horner to the female complainant was leaked to senior team members, the FIA, F1 and the media.
It has been suggested that Verstappen has an exit clause in his contract that would enable him to leave the team if Marko was no longer employed at Red Bull.
In recent days there has been increasing speculation Verstappen could be contemplating a move to Mercedes to take the seat Lewis Hamilton will vacate at the end of this season when he moves to Ferrari.
