On March 8, Max Verstappen strongly defended Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko in response to reports suggesting that Marko could potentially face suspension following the Christian Horner saga.
The three-time world champion emphasized the importance of his mentor, who is 80 years old, retaining his position. Verstappen expressed these sentiments shortly after securing pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on March 9, emphasizing the significant role Marko has played in his career.
“I have immense respect for Helmut and what we’ve accomplished together,” Verstappen stated. “Our relationship dates back a long time, and I’ve always made it clear to everyone that he plays a crucial role in my decision-making regarding my future with the team. It’s paramount that he remains part of the team, along with everyone else, as teamwork is essential and retaining key personnel is vital.”
“I believe that if such a significant figure were to depart, it wouldn’t bode well for my situation either. For me, Helmut’s presence is crucial.”
Previously, Marko had addressed the issue with Austrian broadcaster ORF, acknowledging the possibility of a suspension, which is widely speculated to be linked to suspicions of him leaking information to the media regarding Red Bull’s investigation into team boss Horner’s conduct.
“I’ll put it this way, it’s challenging to assess, or let’s say, ultimately, I will decide for myself what actions to take. The potential for suspension always exists,” he remarked.
“It’s a highly intricate matter. Once again, our aim is to maintain harmony within the team. With 24 grand prix races ahead, our focus must be on that.”
The female team member who accused Horner of “inappropriate behavior” was suspended on March 7.
Horner, 50, vehemently denied the allegations and was cleared by Red Bull following an independent inquiry. Speaking to reporters in Jeddah on the same day, he emphasized the need to move forward and put the issue to rest.
“A grievance was raised, thoroughly investigated, and subsequently dismissed. We now move forward,” he stated.
Nevertheless, the recent controversy surrounding Marko adds further complexity to the apparent power struggle within Red Bull.
“He played a pivotal role in building this team alongside Dietrich (Mateschitz) from the outset, and he has always been fiercely loyal to the team and its members since the early days,” Verstappen emphasized.
“I believe it’s crucial to show him the respect he deserves for his contributions, which underscores the values of loyalty and integrity. Therefore, it’s imperative that he remains part of the team.”
