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Helmut Marko helped make Max Verstappen's rise possible
Photo: Rula Rouhana / REUTERS
According to a report by ORF, influential motorsport consultant Helmut Marko is about to be replaced in the power struggle at the Formula 1 team Red Bull.
The 80-year-old Austrian, a confidante of world champion Max Verstappen, was evasive about the speculation about a suspension in Saudi Arabia on Friday: "The theoretical possibility always exists." However, he decides for himself what he will do, added Marko .
On the TV channel Sky he referred to a clarifying conversation on Saturday in Jeddah.
The affair surrounding team boss Christian Horner, who was accused of inappropriate behavior by an employee, has been simmering at Red Bull for weeks.
After an internal investigation by the company, the woman's complaint was dismissed and Horner was allowed to remain in office.
Because anonymous emails with juicy material appeared shortly afterwards, the Brit once again found himself in need of explanation.
Marko is seen as Horner's internal adversary, who is supported by the Thai majority owners of Red Bull.
»There are so many rumors.
I don't really want to say anything about it," said former racing driver Marko on Sky.
He said on ORF: “We want peace in the team.
This World Cup will be difficult enough with 24 races, we have to concentrate on that.”
If Marko, who has a contract until the end of 2026, actually has to leave the racing team, doubts about Max Verstappen's future at Red Bull would grow again.
The Dutchman apparently has a clause in his contract, which runs until 2028, that allows him to leave at the end of the season if Marko leaves.
Because Verstappen's father Jos recently spoke clearly against Horner, there had already been speculation about the three-time champion's move to Mercedes.
cev/dpa