F1 Today | Horner and Marko at risk in Red Bull

Red Bull Racing's top brass, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, are at risk at the Austrian team, GPblog has learned. Furthermore, should Red Bill fail to keep Max Verstappen in its ranks, the 81 year old chief advisor would consider that a good reason to leave F1.

Forever grateful. After all, it was the same Helmut Marko who gave the young Max Verstappen a chance in Formula One when he was only 16, thus spearheading a brilliant career in the sport. But that was then and now is a different world for Verstappen. In the interests of Red Bull Racing, it has become a must that both team principal Christian Horner and also Marko leave, GPblog has learned.

Whereas Verstappen would have left the team if Marko had been sent away a year ago, that is by no means the case at the moment. Indeed, as GPblog learned from a source very close to the fire, a farewell to Marko is even a must to help Red Bull rescue from the ensuing chaos. Incidentally, for Red Bull's sake, not only Marko would have to go, but Horner as well. At an event where the shareholder in Thailand would decide one should leave, there would be a clear preference for saying goodbye to the team principal.

Of course, the big question is whether Marko and/or Horner will make their own decision to leave for the better of the team. A speedy decision would be essential, as Max Verstappen also has to make a decision on what's next for him in the foreseeable future. If Marko and Horner are still in position by then, it is reasonable to predict which route will Verstappen follow

Marko acknowledged that every contract has conditions about performance to Formel1.de. "Of course every top driver has the option to quit if the performance is not right," he said.

During the summer break, the so-called 'silly season' begins in Formula 1. Marko therefore says the team must be in a good shape by that point, in order to avoid Verstappen leaving - given that the Dutchman did not make a decision by then. "We are now second in the championship, eight points off the leader. The summer break is still some time away, but that is indeed the time window."

What if Verstappen ends up deciding to leave the Austrian team? "Max is an essential part of Red Bull. Last year, he was the only one who could win the title. He is clearly the best at the moment - if not one of the very best ever - and we absolutely want to keep him," Marko continued. "But the whole environment has to be right."

Would Marko himself leave the competition if Verstappen stops being a Red Bull driver? "That could be a good reason," he concluded.