Max Verstappen rubbishes talk of a feud between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko as ‘B******T’ – as Red Bull driver insists neither are ‘leaving’ and ‘the mood in the team is very good’

• Reports have suggested Christian Horner wants Helmut Marko out the team
• But Max Verstappen rubbished talks of either of the pair leaving the garage
• The three-time world champion vehemently denied any exit rumours

Max Verstappen has cast aside talk of either Red Bull principal Christian Horner or the team’s motorsport consultant, Dr Helmut Marko, leaving the garage amid speculation surrounding a feud between the pair.

Red Bull are hoping to continue their season dominance at this weekend’s Austin Grand Prix, with Verstappen already crowned world champion for a third successive year and the team having sealed another constructors title.

However, there are suggestions of a rift in the camp after it emerged Horner reportedly wanted Marko out of the team due to disagreements between the two key personnel members.

Marko is one of the main decision-makers behind helping shape Red Bull’s driver line-up and with pressure on Sergio Perez to improve after a difficult season, they are weighing up options for next season.

But, a defiant Marko explained to Austrian outlet Oe24 that he will decide when he wants to leave Red Bull and will not be told by Horner when his time is up.

Max Verstappen has cooled suggestions of unhappiness within the Red Bull garage

There have been suggestions that team principal Christian Horner (left) and Dr Helmut Marko (right) have fallen out

Verstappen rubbished suggestions that either Horner or Marko are leaving the team

Verstappen has now given his verdict on what happens next and told Sky Sports that neither Horner or Marko will be leaving the team anytime soon.

‘That’s why they are not leaving. Everyone is staying in exactly the same role. That has never really been a discussion. 

‘It’s very important when you are doing well, and the team are doing very well, that you keep those people that are very important to the success of the team. Everyone knows that.

‘From our side, it has always been super clear. I don’t know why people outside the team were trying to doubt that. 

‘From our side, it’s always been clear that it has to stay that way.’

Both Marko and Horner have been at Red Bull since the team joined the Formula One grid in 2005, however the 80-year-old has come under scrutiny this season.

Marko was officially warned by the FIA last month for using a ‘xenophobic slur’ towards his own Red Bull driver Sergio Perez

Horner has overseen Verstappen’s run to three successive world championship titles

Marko was officially warned by the FIA last month for using a ‘xenophobic slur’ towards Perez with Lewis Hamilton as the time condemning the criticism as ‘discrimination’.

However, Verstappen further explained that the mood within the garage is positive as they prepare to mark one-year since co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz passed away.

‘People are trying to basically talk some b******t because I think the mood in the team is very good. Everyone knows exactly what their role is,’ he added,.

‘It was sad last year when Dietrich passed away but we tried to keep that legacy, keep moving it forward and everyone that we have right now in the team is very important to the success that we are having. So that’s why there are also no changes for the future. So I think that basically explains it.’

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