There is growing speculation that Helmut Marko is on the verge of being suspended by Red Bull in the latest twist to the Christian Horner saga.

The news comes a day after it was revealed that the female member of staff at the team who accused Horner of inappropriate behaviour has herself been suspended.

Marko, a consultant to the Red Bull teams is not actually employed by either but by the parent company Red Bull GmbH and it is understood that they are to meet with him in the coming days.

"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," he told Austrian broadcaster ORF, when asked if he feared he is to be suspended. "The theoretical possibility always exists," he added.

"I think it's such a complex issue," he continued. "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 understood that the latest twist to the saga relates to the raft of documents that were released last week after Red Bull said it had concluded its investigation into Horner, a move that caused Jos Verstappen, father of world champion Max, to claim the team could explode unless the Briton was fired.

The move led to speculation that Verstappen himself had released the documents, a move the Dutchman vehemently denies.

F1, the FIA, Ford, rival team bosses and most recently Honda have voiced concern at the way the situation has been handled, and especially the lack of transparency.

"They want a clear statement about what really happened," Marko said of Honda. "But the most important thing is that we get back to the sporting side of things, and that the team concentrates on what is important. That's working quite well at the moment."

Further complicating the issue is the claim that Max has a get-out clause in his contract which would leave him free to quit the Austrian team should Marko leave, the youngster having been recruited to the Austrian's young driver programme in 2014.

Though he refused to comment on the supposed clause, Marko made it clear how important the Dutch driver is to the team.

"Max is certainly the strongest asset that the team has," he said. "There is no faster driver at the moment and if we were to lose him, it would be an incredible loss, because of course there are also an incredible number of mechanics, including engineers, who are all working incredibly hard for Max. I think it's quite logical and clear that Max is the most important part of the team."

"I have a lot of respect for Helmut and what we have achieved together, it goes very far," said Max Verstappen this evening. "Of course, my loyalty to him is very big and I've always expressed this to everyone within the team, everyone high up, that he's an important part in my decision-making for all the time in the future as well within the team.

"It's very important that he stays within the team, including of course everyone else, because you know it's a whole team effort. It's very important that we keep the key people together because I feel like if such an important pillar falls away, that's also what I've said to the team that is not good for my situation as well.

"Helmut has to stay for sure. He has built this team together with Dietrich from day one and he's always been very loyal to the team. I think it's also very important that you give the man a lot of respect for what he has done. And that comes back also to loyalty and integrity. For sure, it's important that he stays part of the team also for me."

Check out our Friday gallery from Jeddah here.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Italian Job, 09/03/2024 15:05

"@VC10-1103. Wonderful memories, which are as out of date as G-ASIX (saying that today and mentioning GARTA shows my age. . . )"

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by KKK, 09/03/2024 14:46

"To be so suddenly suspended, Marko must have done or said something that wasn't acceptable to Red Bull. Hope it wasn't Marko who sent the emails, but if so, why would he do that unless he suspects (or plans) that Max has been approached by another team. In his time in F1 Marko has made a lot of enemies, dangerous ones too. By all accounts he is a bit of a bully, ask any driver that was unceremoniously dropped. "

Rating: Positive (3) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by VC10-1103, 09/03/2024 13:50

"Oh for the days when you had a team owner (Chapman/Tyrrell), a team manager (Warr), a couple of drivers and a handful of mechanics."

Rating: Positive (3) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by equator180, 09/03/2024 12:32

"First one to be thrown out of all RB properties and proceedings should be Jos. I am a fan of Max and he is good maybe great but is he is childish enough and so unstable he needs daddy holding his hand his stability is in question. Marco, if he leaves so what, if Max wants to follow where does he go, MB, wow....he has a shot at perhaps 7 championships with RB maybe more what are his chances with MB? There are a number of drivers who can sit in the RB, it is the best car on the track and whoever sits there has a real shot, Max at MB with Jos breathing down Toto neck would be something to behold. Hamilton knew what he was doing, next to RB is Ferreri, if Max is set to go, well see ya later kid, your constant champagne days are over..."

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by kenji, 09/03/2024 12:28

"@ Chester...If the room was in France then obviously it was 'linoleum blownapart'."

Rating: Positive (3) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by Chester, 09/03/2024 12:19

"Who threw the grenade into the room at RB HQ? Wow"

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

7. Posted by kenji, 09/03/2024 9:52

"Over many years I've often wondered just how there is any justification for keeping Marko on the payroll. yes, he was a very successful talent scout but what else does he do to contribute? I do recall a long while ago Marko/RB were considering outsourcing some of Marko's remit to none other than Jos Verstappen. If the total restructure of Red Bull ownership were to come about under the rumoured CH private equity plan there was possibly nowhere for Marko to go other than out. That would leave any successor / replacement without a future! Depending on how this imbroglio plays out I do see a possible 6 parter being built around it. There's a huge vacancy for good TV plotlines and this one could be really entertaining. Forget 'House of Cards' think 'Garage of Wheels'. Apologies for all that LOL.
"

Rating: Positive (5) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

8. Posted by Spindoctor, 09/03/2024 7:48

"We seem to be witnessing an implosion, rather than an explosion, and through a glass, darkly, at that!

Marko, normally vociferous on any & all topics, has said little to defuse, or even about Horner's predicament, nor Jos' outburst. His own invitation to the Head's study might be significant in terms of seeing what's what.

The big takeaway in all this sleaze-mongering at RBR is that when you're as big & famous as Red Bull & thrive mainly through slick advertising & sponsorship of various sports, cover ups, real or imagined are very bad for the image. *Transparency* really helps keeping the fizz flowing...."

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

9. Posted by kenji, 09/03/2024 4:55

"I missed the part where Marko said'...again we [ just ] want peace in the team'!!! What a strange comment to make when the reason why he 'may be suspended' has not been clarified. Was he the leaker? Historically Marko never liked the fact that CH always dealt direct with Mateshitz. Marko also hated the fact that Mark Webber always dealt direct with DM as well. His dislike was confirmed when in an interview on Servus re team performance he actually couldn't bring himself to utter Mark's name when he referred to him as 'that Australian'. As far as I'm concerned if Marko left tomorrow he wouldn't be missed. "

Rating: Positive (12) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

10. Posted by kenji, 09/03/2024 3:43

"Murkier and murkier....the beat goes on."

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

11. Posted by ARL, 08/03/2024 21:19

"I suspect that Adrian Newey is consistently the strongest asset that Red Bull have had since they started winning championships. Did Sergio Perez carry Helmut's bags to the airport for him (rumour has it he has left already)?"

Rating: Positive (8) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Marko facing suspension?

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page