Christian Horner ‘believes he can win WITHOUT Max Verstappen’, Red Bull insiders ‘claim after the F1 champion threatened to quit’ if his mentor Helmut Marko is suspended for ‘leaking evidence’

Christian Horner reportedly believes he can win without Max Verstappen, amid talks of the Dutchman’s exit from Red Bull.

Horner has been at the centre of a roiling storm engulfing the sport after being cleared of misconduct by an independent investigation called by his team’s parent company Red Bull GmbH.

Less than 24 hours after the decision was publicly communicated – and at the start of the first race weekend of the season in Bahrain – a tranche of leaked texts and pictures alleged to have been sent by Horner to the female employee involved was circulated to key figures within Formula One.

Helmut Marko is now said to be subject to an investigation by Red Bull relating to the media leaks that have taken place since Horner’s text scandal broke and he could face a suspension or the sack.  

As a result, Verstappen has threatened to quit Red Bull if his mentor Marko is forced out. 

Max Verstappen has threatened to quit if Helmut Marko is suspended by Red Bull

However, as reported by German outlet Auto Motor Sport, Horner believes he can continue to win without Verstappen, Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey and Ford. 

The report claims that the 50-year-old believes he is the architect of the success that has seen Red Bull win three straight championships.

Verstappen, Red Bull’s chief asset, will not stand for Marko going – increasing the prospect of his moving to Mercedes. 

The triple world champion 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, the energy drink company’s late founder).’

Marko recently told an Austrian broadcaster that he might not be at the Australian GP

Again, Verstappen did not reference Horner, who was last week hit by leaked WhatsApp messages supposedly revealing sexually suggestive exchanges with his female colleague.

Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF that there was a chance he wouldn’t be at the next race in Australia on March 24.

The 80-year-old said cryptically that there is even a ‘possibility’ he will be suspended on Monday. Another rumour has him being sacked.