Marko says he will stay with Red Bull after talks

Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko says he will stay with the team following talks with the company’s chief executive officer Oliver Mintzlaff.

Marko faced an internal investigation amid the controversy around team boss Christian Horner.

He told Sky Germany: “We agreed on all points. I will continue here. My contract still has three years to run.”

Marko thanked Max Verstappen for his support in the matter.

The three-time world champion had said on Friday after qualifying at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that Marko “has to stay”.

And he came close to threatening to leave Red Bull if that were not the case, saying: “If such an important pillar falls away, that’s not good for my situation as well.

“My loyalty to [Marko] is very big. I’ve always expressed this to everyone within the team, everyone high up, that he’s an important part in my decision-making for all the time in the future as well within the team.”

Marko said: “It was very impressive. I am very grateful to him for that. But he is one of the few who has strength of character and shows loyalty.”

Marko, 80, added that “calm must return” to Red Bull after weeks of a febrile atmosphere following the allegations against Horner.

Horner faced 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 senior F1 personnel and media.

On Thursday, Horner said it was time to “draw a line” under the matter.

Marko denied claims that he had leaked the information to the media.

“The leaking is complete rubbish,” he said. “I’m glad I can manage to use my mobile phone. I’ve never seen any of these chats.”

Mintzlaff, who is in Saudi Arabia for the race, said: “We are happy with our management.”