IN a dramatic twist, Max Verstappen has warned he may leave Red Bull if Helmut Marko, current director of the Red Bull Formula One teams, and head of Red Bull’s driver development programme, faces suspension.
Red Bull is investigating recent media leaks, including suggestive WhatsApp messages allegedly exchanged by team principal Christian Horner. Reports suggest Marko, an 80-year-old ally of Verstappen, could be suspended.
Verstappen, fresh from pole position in Saudi Arabia, hinted his future at Red Bull depends on Marko’s fate, adding more intrigue to Formula 1’s ongoing drama.”
In a recent interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF, Helmut Marko addressed speculation about his potential suspension, stating that he’ll decide for himself what to do.
He also expressed uncertainty about attending the upcoming race in Australia, citing the complex situation and the team’s focus on unity for the challenging championship ahead.
This follows the suspension of a colleague who accused team principal Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour, a claim later dismissed after an internal investigation. Despite tensions between Verstappen’s father, Jos, and Horner in Bahrain, Horner urged everyone to move past the issue.
Internal divisions within Red Bull, with factions including Marko and the Verstappens on one side and Horner and the majority owner Chaleo Yoovidhya on the other, are overshadowing the team’s success.
As Verstappen prepares to start from pole position in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, off-track drama threatens to overshadow on-track achievements.
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports is set to broadcast the Saudi Arabian GP live. The race will air on Sky Sports F1, kicking off with pre-race coverage at 3:30pm GMT, leading up to the race start at 5:00pm GMT.
