Christian Horner embraces Max Verstappen after his dominant Saudi GP win – before telling reporters his driver can LEAVE Red Bull if he wants to in wake of sex text scandal

Team principal Christian Horner insisted ‘nobody is bigger than the team’ after Red Bull claimed a second successive 1-2 in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix despite the scandal convulsing the F1 outfit.

Max Verstappen claimed his second win in two races in 2024 and his ninth consecutive victory dating back to September.

Leading team-mate Sergio Perez to a Red Bull one-two, it continued the crushing superiority Verstappen has had over the Formula 1 field for nearly two years

Afterwards Horner told Sky Sports: ‘Obviously, a lot is made of this stuff. But we are one team, and nobody is bigger than the team.

‘This team comprises, over the different entities of over 1,400 people, and everybody has a role to play. That’s from the very bottom to the very top and without them achieving you don’t get performances like this.

Helmut Marko has revealed he won’t leave Red Bull after talks with the company’s head of sports Oliver Mintzlaff (right)

‘Unfortunately there’s been a lot of speculation this weekend, but once again our focus is on the track.’

His comments came after Dr Helmut Marko insisted he will not be leaving Red Bull as a result of the scandal.

In an extraordinary about-turn in this ludicrous saga, the 80-year-old motorsport adviser said suspension was now ruled out after talks with the energy drinks company’s head of sport, Oliver Mintzlaff, in the Jeddah paddock.

Only a day before Marko had hinted he was through the door, possibly never to return after being accused by the team of leaking evidence over team principal Christian Horner’s behaviour towards a female colleague. 

Marko’s departure may well have triggered Max Verstappen going with him, as the world champion vowed to do after qualifying in a statement of loyalty to his mentor.

Now everything is fluid again, with Marko saying ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: ‘The conversation with Mintzalff was a very good one. I think everything is cleared.  

Marko also thanked Max Verstappen for his loyalty after the Red Bull star threatened to quit if his mentor and the team’s motorsport advisor left

There had been allegations that Marko leaked evidence over Christian Horner’s (left) behaviour towards a female colleague – which he says had no ‘legal background’

‘We decided that these rumours were spread and had no legal background. I will not be suspended. Our goal is to win the world championship. For that we will have to work hard.’

Asked if he was confident that Verstappen would be at the team until the end of his contract in 2028, Marko added: ‘That is a long time…’

He added: ‘I was really thankful for how loyal Max was. I was impressed.

‘We are not going to Mercedes together at the moment.’

Asked if Verstappen would stay, Mitzlaff said: ‘Of course. He has a contract. Max is a great driver and hopefully we will win tonight. I am here just for racing. That’s it.’