Helmut Marko insists he WON'T be leaving Red Bull despite his rift with Christian Horner over 'sex texts' scandal following crunch talks... as he thanks Max Verstappen for his 'loyalty'
- Red Bull's motorsport advisor said that a potential suspension is off the cards
- He denied accusations of leaking evidence over team principal Christian Horner
- Marko's departure may well have triggered Verstappen's own exit from the team
Dr Helmut Marko has insisted he will not be leaving Red Bull as a result of the scandal convulsing the team.
In an extraordinary about-turn in this ludicrous saga, the 80-year-old motorsport adviser said suspension was now ruled out after talks with the energy drinks company’s head of sport, Oliver Mintzlaff, in the Jeddah paddock.
Only a day before Marko had hinted he was through the door, possibly never to return after being accused by the team of leaking evidence over team principal Christian Horner’s behaviour towards a female colleague.
Marko’s departure may well have triggered Max Verstappen going with him, as the world champion vowed to do after qualifying in a statement of loyalty to his mentor.
Now everything is fluid again, with Marko saying ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: ‘The conversation with Mintzalff was a very good one. I think everything is cleared.
![Helmut Marko has revealed he won't leave Red Bull after talks with the company's head of sports Oliver Mintzlaff (right)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/09/16/82253919-13177179-image-a-35_1710001549440.jpg)
Helmut Marko has revealed he won't leave Red Bull after talks with the company's head of sports Oliver Mintzlaff (right)
![Marko also thanked Max Verstappen for his loyalty after the Red Bull star threatened to quit if his mentor and the team's motorsport advisor left](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/09/16/82255127-13177179-image-a-36_1710001602053.jpg)
Marko also thanked Max Verstappen for his loyalty after the Red Bull star threatened to quit if his mentor and the team's motorsport advisor left
![There had been allegations that Marko leaked evidence over Christian Horner's (left) behaviour towards a female colleague - which he says had no 'legal background'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/09/16/82254289-13177179-image-a-38_1710001673251.jpg)
There had been allegations that Marko leaked evidence over Christian Horner's (left) behaviour towards a female colleague - which he says had no 'legal background'
'We decided that these rumours were spread and had no legal background. I will not be suspended. Our goal is to win the world championship. For that we will have to work hard.’
Asked if he was confident that Verstappen would be at the team until the end of his contract in 2028, Marko added: ‘That is a long time…’
He added: ‘I was really thankful for how loyal Max was. I was impressed.
‘We are not going to Mercedes together at the moment.’
Asked if Verstappen would stay, Mitzlaff said: ‘Of course. He has a contract. Max is a great driver and hopefully we will win tonight. I am here just for racing. That’s it.’