The 80-year-old Austrian denied rumors during the past weekend that he could face suspension, following accusations of leaking information from the internal investigation. Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, openly discussed his consideration of leaving the team amidst the chaos surrounding team principal Christian Horner’s behavior towards a female colleague. The octogenarian Austrian refuted rumors over the weekend that he might be suspended, following allegations that he leaked information from the internal investigation. This controversy is part of the ongoing drama within the Formula One team. Marko’s comments came after a meeting with Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s head of sport, during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, highlighting the internal discussions about the situation.
Previously, Marko had hinted at a potential resignation, which raised concerns about the possible departure of world champion Max Verstappen as a show of loyalty to Marko. However, in an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Marko revealed that his thoughts of leaving predate the scandal involving Horner, pointing to internal conflicts within the team. “I hope it will all be over as soon as possible,” Marko expressed, indicating his desire for a resolution. He emphasized the importance of honoring the legacy of Red Bull’s founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, stating, “I was already contemplating leaving at the end of last year, but we should also consider Dietrich [Mateschitz’s] legacy, his ideas, and where they took us. We owe that to him.”
Despite the turmoil, Marko and Verstappen planned to return to Europe from Saudi Arabia together, a change from their earlier plan to travel with Horner, highlighting the strong bond between Marko and the driver. Following discussions with Mintzlaff, Marko believed that the rumors surrounding him would not result in his suspension. “We concluded that these rumors [regarding the leaks] were spread without any legal basis. I will not face suspension,” he clarified, reaffirming the team’s focus on winning championships. Christian Horner’s Red Bull team still faces the possibility of dismissal as the FIA steps in.
Read: Max Verstappen’s father supports the suspended employee amidst the Christian Horner scandal. Regarding Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, Marko acknowledged the length of the driver’s contract until 2028 and expressed gratitude for Verstappen’s loyalty during these challenging times. “I was genuinely appreciative of Max’s loyalty. I was impressed. At the moment, we are not going to Mercedes together,” Marko stated, dispelling rumors of a team switch. The ongoing situation adds additional pressure on Horner, particularly with reports suggesting that the woman at the center of the controversy is considering appealing against the decision that cleared Horner of any wrongdoing.