Red Bull has received a clear warning from Max Verstappen that his own F1 career may be impacted by what happens to Helmut Marko.
On Friday in Saudi Arabia, Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Marko acknowledged that he might face a suspension as a result of an ongoing probe into whether or not he violated team policies.
When Marko admitted to the Austrian television ORF that he might not be at the upcoming race in Australia, it placed question on his future with Red Bull.
According to Motorsport.com, Red Bull is attempting to determine how different media leaks happened after the team principal, Christian Horner, was exonerated of all charges last week after an inappropriate behavior accusation.
Verstappen responded, “I have a great deal of respect for Helmut and what we have accomplished together,” when asked if Marko’s destiny would have an effect on his own future at Red Bull.
“My devotion to him is immense, and I have consistently conveyed to all team members, even the upper echelons, that he plays a crucial role in my decision-making both now and in the future.
It is crucial that he continues with the team since it takes a team to succeed, including everyone else.
The three-time world champion continued, saying, “It is crucial that we maintain the key players together because, as I’ve told the team, it will not be good for my circumstances if such a major pillar slips away. So, yes, Helmut has to stay in my opinion.
“He and Dietrich [Mateschitz] have been building this team since the beginning. Additionally, he has always been incredibly devoted to the group and to each individual member, ensuring that everyone would maintain their places from the beginning.
Of course, I think it’s crucial that you show the man a great deal of respect for what he has accomplished. And that also has to do with integrity and loyalty, you know. Therefore, it’s crucial that he remains a member of the squad, in my opinion as well.
Rumors that Verstappen would leave Red Bull and join Mercedes have been rampant amid the unrest within the organization.
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, startled the Formula One community last month by revealing he was joining Ferrari in 2025. Mercedes needs a replacement for Hamilton.