By Joe Murphy
Max Verstappen has reinforced his stance protecting Helmut Marko, suggesting he would quit the constructors champions if they were to suspend the 80 year old. Marko’s position was under threat and suspension was the plan, until their golden boy driver spoke up against the plan, hours after claiming a second successive pole position of the season in Saudi Arabia. This has forced Red Bull to change their decision to suspend the man, at least for now.
The Austrian advisor looks set to come up against disciplinary action as the result of an internal investigation amid the continued controversy around team principal; Christian Horner.
Verstappen spoke publcially whilst in Jeddah “It’s very important that he stays within the team. If such an important pillar falls away, that’s not good for my situation as well. So, for me, Helmut has to stay, for sure.” Marko himself had previously inferred that there was a possibility he might not be at the next race in Australia in around two weeks time.
As illustrated, Marko is a highly influential person within Red Bull. As motorsport adviser, he is the one responsible for the company’s young driver programme and was the sole individual behind the Team’s decision to bring Verstappen into the team in the first place.
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