Max Verstappen said he hopes the Red Bull team remain united following a weekend of speculation over Helmut Marko’s future.
However Verstappen was satisfied the continued controversy surrounding Red Bull did not affect the team’s performance on the track last weekend. He led team mate Sergio Perez to their second consecutive one-two at the start of the season in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The team remains in the spotlight over its handling of an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour by team principal Christian Horner. The situation escalated over the weekend when Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko indicated he was about to be suspended by the company.
Verstappen reacted strongly to reports casting doubt on Marko’s future, indicating he might not see out his contract at the team if the 80-year-old left. However ahead of the race Marko indicated that following discussions with Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff his position was no longer under threat.
After taking victory on Saturday, Verstappen said he hoped the team would continue to remain united.
“I always said that what is most important is that we work together as a team and that everyone keeps the peace,” he said. “And that’s what we, I think, all agree on within the team.
“So hopefully from now on that is also fully the case.”
The reigning world champion was never seriously threatened as he extended a nine-race run of consecutive grand prix wins which began last year. He said the drama surrounding the team has not affected its performance on the track.
“Everyone is trying to focus in the same direction. I think the positive out of all this is that it didn’t hurt our performances.
“It’s a very strong team, also, mentally, what you can see from not only the driver’s side, but also mechanics, engineers, everyone is there to do their job. And I think everyone, even when there is stuff going on or whatever, they’re just very focused on their job as they should be.”
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2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
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