Max Verstappen calls for 'peace' at Red Bull after Christian Horner 'sex texts' scandal and world champion's own quit threat rocked the team
- Verstappen cruised to victory in Jeddah during another rocky weekend
- It came as the woman at centre of Horner scandal reportedly plans to appeal
- Verstappen's mentor Helmut Marko will also remain with the team after talks
Max Verstappen has called for 'peace' at Red Bull amid the ongoing Christian Horner 'sex texts' scandal.
The Dutch world champion's victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah on Saturday was overshadowed by the ongoing saga.
There were reports the woman at the centre of the scandal plans to appeal the decision that cleared the Red Bull boss of 'coercive behaviour' towards her.
She was suspended from her role at Red Bull last week after screenshots of alleged text conversations between her and Horner were leaked by an anonymous email.
Over the race weekend in Jeddah, Red Bull adviser Dr Helmut Marko said he would not be leaving the team following crunch talks with the company's head of sport Oliver Mintzlaff.
![Max Verstappen has called for 'peace' at Red Bull with the team gripped by scandal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/11/08/82308317-13182075-image-a-17_1710146573957.jpg)
Max Verstappen has called for 'peace' at Red Bull with the team gripped by scandal
![Team principal Christian Horner, pictured with wife Geri Halliwell, is at the centre of a scandal over alleged 'sex texts' he sent to a female employee](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/11/08/82291445-13182075-Christian_Horner_was_cleared_of_coercive_behaviour_towards_a_fem-a-18_1710146622414.jpg)
Team principal Christian Horner, pictured with wife Geri Halliwell, is at the centre of a scandal over alleged 'sex texts' he sent to a female employee
![Red Bull adviser Dr Helmut Marko (right) said he wouldn't be suspended by the Formula One team having been accused of leaking evidence over Horner's (left) behaviour](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/11/08/82307087-13182075-Red_Bull_adviser_Dr_Helmut_Marko_right_said_he_wouldn_t_be_suspe-a-19_1710146684931.jpg)
Red Bull adviser Dr Helmut Marko (right) said he wouldn't be suspended by the Formula One team having been accused of leaking evidence over Horner's (left) behaviour
Marko's departure could well have led to Verstappen going with him in a display of loyalty to the man who mentored him.
Before Saturday's race, Verstappen told Sky Sports F1 it was 'absolutely' good news that Marko's future appeared to be resolved.
Asked after his second win of the season whether he really would consider walking away, Verstappen added: 'I always said that what is most important is that we work together as a team and that everyone keeps the peace.
'And that's what we, I think, all agree on within the team. So hopefully, from now on, that is also fully the case.
'Everyone is trying to focus in the same direction. And I think the positive out of all this is that it didn't hurt out performances. So it's a very strong team.
'I think also mentally, what you can see from not only the driver's side, but also mechanics, engineers, everyone is there to do their job.
'And I think everyone, even when there is stuff going on or whatever, they're just focused on their job as they should be.'
![Marko (left) with Verstappen (second left), Horner (second right) and Sergio Perez (right) after Red Bull claimed another victory in Saudi Arabia on Saturday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/11/08/82307301-13182075-Marko_left_with_Verstappen_second_left_Horner_second_right_and_S-a-20_1710146699285.jpg)
Marko (left) with Verstappen (second left), Horner (second right) and Sergio Perez (right) after Red Bull claimed another victory in Saudi Arabia on Saturday
In an interview with Sky, Verstappen added: 'I think everyone knows that it's important to have peace in the team and just focus on the driving aspect and the performance aspect.
'So that's what we try to do as a team.'
Red Bull achieved back-to-back one-two finishes in Jeddah with Verstappen winning and Sergio Perez in second - the same outcome as in the season opener in Bahrain a week earlier.