Max Verstappen's Red Bull future in doubt as he breaks silence on Helmut Marko future

Max Verstappen could sensationally QUIT Red Bull if team advisor, Helmut Marko, gets the sack from the F1 team.

Verstappen views 80 year old Marko as his mentor but he recently revealed could be suspended from Red Bull, following scrutiny around the Christian Horner scandal. Despite female colleague's accusations of inappropriate conduct against Horner, an independent investigation cleared him last week. However, the air isn't clear yet, with Verstappen's dad Jos and now Marko being drawn into it.

When asked about Marko's comments, Verstappen told Red Bull he Marko "has to stay" involved. He said: "If such an important pillar falls away, it is not good for my situation and I have told the team that. He is an important part in my decision-making for the future. For me, Helmut has to stay. I have a lot of respect for him, and what we have achieved together. It goes very far. He built this team with Dietrich (Mateschitz)."

On being asked by Austrian TV channel ORF about the chances of getting suspended before the Austrian Grand Prix later this month, Marko conceded the "theoretical possibility exists". He said:, "I'll put it this way, it's difficult to judge, or let's put it this way, ultimately, I'll decide for myself what I do. The theoretical possibility always exists. I think it's such a complex issue. Again, we want peace in the team."

"This world championship will be difficult enough with 24 races and we have to concentrate on that. The most important thing is that we get back to the sporting side of things, and that the team concentrates on what is important. That's working quite well at the moment."

Reports are buzzing that Verstappen could exercise a break clause in his agreement which lets him terminate his