Verstappen defends Marko and threatens Red Bull: 'It's very important that he stays in the team'

La saga Red Bull never ends at the start of the 2024 season, to the point that the impressive sporting results of the Austrian team are taking a back seat. The team has been in turmoil since the revelation of the Horner affair last February, and every day, a new episode seems to fuel this series worthy of a tragicomedy.

Since Friday, a few days after Christian Horner emerged from the internal investigation of which he was the subject, it's Helmut Marko's turn to be put under investigation by the Red Bull clan, according to the latest information from the Saudi paddock.

The Austrian, historic figure of the team and most faithful friend of Dietrich Mateschitz, one of the co-founders of Red Bull who died in 2022, would indeed potentially be accused of being linked to leaks in the media of certain elements linked to the investigation against Christian Horner. Helmut Marko himself told the Austrian media ORF this Friday that he was subject to a potential imminent suspension, and that he was not guaranteed to be present in Australia

Questioned at a press conference on this subject, Max Verstappen – who had just taken pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – was caught up in his team's extra-sporting affairs. The Dutchman, unaccustomed to wooden language, stepped up to defend the Austrian leader, with whom he established strong ties in his career in Formula 1.

“I have enormous respect for Helmut and for what we accomplished together, declared the three-time reigning world champion. This all goes a long way. And naturally, my loyalty to him is immense. I have always said it internally, to all senior managers, that it is always an important element in my decision-making for the future as well as within the team. It is therefore very important that he stays in the team, like all the others naturally, because it is the effort of an entire team. It is very important to keep key people because I feel that if such an important pillar falls, it is not good for my situation either, and that is also what I said to the team. »

Verstappen ready to leave Red Bull without Marko?

The Verstappen clan is naturally very close to Helmut Marko: it is thanks to him that Max Verstappen was able to join the Red Bull family in his young years, before being propelled towards F1 at an unprecedented age (17 years old at the time). of his first season, in 2015) and to be promoted to Red Bull in 2016. The rest, we know: three world titles and 55 victories (before the Saudi Arabian GP…). Obviously, the Dutchman owes him almost everything in F1.

“For me, Helmut must stay, that’s for sure, he emphasizes. He built this team with Dietrich [Mateschitz, founder of the Red Bull brand who died in October 2022] from day one, and he was always very loyal to the team, to everyone on the team, to making sure everyone keeps their position from the start. It's also very important to give him a lot of respect for what he did. »

Statements that sound like a threat, while his future at Red Bull – despite a contract until 2028 – seems more and more vague as this affair lasts over time. In the event of Helmut Marko's suspension/departure, would Max Verstappen pack his bags to look elsewhere? In an interview with the Austrian media ORF, the Dutchman simply suggested that in his eyes, the retention of Helmut Marko at Red Bull was “more important” than that of Christian Horner. To be continued.

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