Max Verstappen has backed Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko after it emerged the Austrian could face a suspension from Red Bull.
Marko, the 80-year-old former F1 driver, is facing disciplinary action following an internal investigation amid controversy surrounding team principal Christian Horner.
Verstappen said: “It's very important that he stays in the team. If such an important pillar leaves, it's not good for my situation either. So for me, Helmut certainly has to stay. No,” he said.
A source close to Red Bull told BBC Sport there were plans to suspend Marko.
“It's difficult to judge, rather, in the end you decide your own actions. There are always theoretical possibilities,” Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF.
“This is a very complex issue. Again, we want peace for the team. This World Championship will be difficult enough with 24 races and we have to focus on that. ”
Marko said he may miss the next race in Australia from March 22-24.
Asked whether Marko was suspended, a Red Bull Racing spokesperson told BBC Sport: “That's news to us.”
A spokesperson stressed that Marko is employed directly by Austria's Red Bull and that Red Bull Racing has no authority over him.
Marko is a very influential person within Red Bull. As a motorsport advisor, he ran the company's young driver program and was responsible for welcoming Verstappen to the team.
He was a close ally of late co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz and effectively became his eyes and ears on the team.
Mr. Mateschitz died in October 2022, leaving Mr. Marko in a precarious position.
News of Marko's possible suspension comes 24 hours after Red Bull suspended a woman who claimed inappropriate and controlling behavior in relation to Horner.
Horner was subject to an internal investigation by Red Bull, but the company's board dismissed the allegations on the eve of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Twenty-four hours later, a cache of messages purporting to involve Horner was leaked to F1 executives and the media.
Verstappen added: “My loyalty[to Marko]is huge. I've always expressed this to everyone in the team, everyone at the top. He will continue to always support my wishes within the team. “They play an important role in decisions,” he added. team.
“He has built this team with Dietrich from day one and has always been very loyal to the team, to everyone in the team, trying to make sure everyone was in the position they were already in.
“And, of course, I think it's also very important to have a lot of respect for what the man does. And that also reflects on loyalty and integrity.”
Verstappen's comments only increase speculation about the driver's future with the team, with rumors linking him to the vacant seat at Mercedes next year following Lewis Hamilton's decision to move to Ferrari.
“My intention is absolutely to stay and as long as we perform there is no reason to leave,” Verstappen said on Wednesday.
This comes after Max's father Jos Verstappen warned that the Horner controversy was “driving people apart” and that the team would “explode” if the team boss stayed in his job. It happened less than a week ago.
Horner said Thursday that it was “time to draw a line under the controversy” swirling within the team.
However, Red Bull's engine partner Honda has requested further details on the matter.
A spokesperson for the Japanese company said: “Honda is not in a position to comment in detail as the full details of this matter are not known at this time. We look forward to full clarification as soon as possible.” .