Verstappen pledges loyalty to Marko amid Red Bull suspension talk

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — The saga swirling around Red Bull intensified further Friday night as reigning world champion Max Verstappen gave the strongest hint, but his future with the team is tied up to racing advisor Helmut Marko.

“It is important that he stays in the team,” Verstappen told reporters on Friday evening, adding that Marko was an “important pillar” in his decision-making process regarding his future.

Asked if he was with Marko or not in the team at all, Verstappen then told Sky Sports: “I have always said, and everyone at Red Bull knows this, that for me personally , Helmut Marko must still be there.”

His comments came just an hour after Marko told Austrian television there was a “theoretical possibility” he would be suspended by Red Bull.

Sources have told ESPN that an investigation is underway within the world champion team into the leaks which have kept the Christian Horner scandal at the forefront of Formula 1.

ESPN understands that Marko is a central part of a wider investigation into Red Bull.

A clear divide has emerged at Red Bull since team boss Horner was cleared of any misconduct by Red Bull GmbH on March 28.

Verstappen's father Jos said last week the Red Bull team could “explode” if Horner remains in charge. Max Verstappen has not publicly supported Horner, although he has not publicly criticized him either.

Tensions within the team have fueled reports that Verstappen could seek to replace Ferrari-linked Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025.

If there remain any doubts about Verstappen's opinion of Horner, there can be none about how much he values ​​Marko, the man credited with bringing the Dutchman to the Red Bull driver program in 2014.

“From my side, I have a lot of respect for Helmut and what we have achieved together goes a long way,” Verstappen said, shortly after taking a dominant pole position for Saturday night's Saudi Grand Prix.

“My loyalty to him is also very great. I have always told everyone within the team, all the senior managers, that he is an important part of my decision-making at all times, as well as 'within the team.

“It's very important that he stays on the team… including everyone, it's a whole team effort and it's very important that we keep the key people together because I the impression that if such an important pillar collapses, this is also what I told the team: it is not good for my situation either.

“Of course for me, Helmut has to stay. He built this team with Dietrich from day one and he was always very loyal to the team to everyone in the team, to make sure that everyone would keep its position upon return. day.

“It's also very important that you give this man a lot of respect for what he's done and that also comes down to loyalty and integrity. It's important that he stays on the team, also for me .”

Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, although it is rumored in the paddock that he has an exit clause that would cover Marko's departure from the team.

Verstappen is already a big favorite for a fourth consecutive world championship at Red Bull this year.

The revelation of Marko's suspension came just 24 hours after it emerged the woman who accused Horner of inappropriate behavior had been suspended.

It appears that she was suspended due to the findings of the initial investigation, conducted by an independent lawyer.