Max Verstappen threatens to quit Red Bull as F1 world champion’s future is cast in doubt

Max Verstappen has threatened to leave Red Bull amid rumours linking him with a move to Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.

Over the last few weeks, Red Bull have been dominating headlines after Christian Horner’s investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour.

The Red Bull team boss has always denied any wrongdoing and was cleared after an internal investigation led by an 'external, specialised lawyer'.

Now, to add to the chaos, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is now reportedly the subject of an investigation and could face disciplinary action if found guilty.

Reacting to the news after clinching pole position ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, Verstappen hinted his future could be away from Red Bull if Marko leaves the team.

He said: “If Helmut Marko leaves, we will have a really big problem at Red Bull. From my side, I have a lot of respect for Helmut, and what we have achieved together. It goes very far.

“My loyalty to him is very big and I have always expressed this to everyone within the team, everyone high up that he is an important part in my decision-making for the future within the team.”

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Verstappen continued: “It is very important that he stays within the team, including of course everybody else because it is a team effort and it is very important that we keep the key people together. Because I feel like if such an important pillar falls away, what I have said to the team, that is not good for my situation as well.

“For me, Helmut has to stay and he built this team together with Dietrich [Mateschitz] from day one and he's always been very loyal to the team, to everyone within the team to make sure that everyone would keep their positions from back in the day.

“I think it is also very important that you give the man a lot of respect for what he has done, and that comes back to loyalty and integrity, so it is important that he stays part of the team.”