Christian Horner insists there was no plot to try and oust motorsport advisor Helmut Marko from the Red Bull F1 team.

Marko’s future at the team was thrown into serious doubt on Friday when he revealed he faced suspension amid an internal investigation relating to the contrꦬoversy around team principal Hor💃ner.

But after receiving strong public backing from 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Max Verstappen, and following crunch talks wi🍒th Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, the 80-year-old Austrian confirmed less than 24 hours later that he will be staying with t🍰he team.

Marko thanked Verstappen, who effectively threatened to quit Red Bull if Marko was let go, and told Sky Germany: "We agreed onꦫ all points. I will continue here. My contract still has three years to run.”

Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Marko rubbish💎ed the suggestion he was behind various media leaks and indicated there had been a “cunning” plot to try to get rid of him.

“Absolute rubbish. I'm really happy when I𝓡 have my iPhone halfway under control,” Marko said.

“I haven't seeꩵn this report or any of these chats. I deliberately stayed out of it. 𓄧To associate me with it was almost like a planned operation, as I realised. ‘Cunning’, as [Niki] Lauda would say.”

Horner said the matter had nothi📖ng to do with him, or the Red Bull F1🌼 team.

“🉐I think the rumour about suspension was🐻 as news to the team as it was to anybody else. We were quite surprised to hear that,” he said.

“Helmut is a contractor to Red Bull GmbH, so it was an is༒sue between them. We werꦿen't party or part of that discussion.

“I've known Helmut since 1996, and he's played an important role over the years. That role has evolved over the years. ꧒I've known him a very, very long time.

“Coming up to 81 ye🍬ars of age, he's still obviously motivated about Formula 1, which is a posit🅰ive thing.”

Horner was then asked if Verstappen’s 𓂃show of support had influenced 🎃Red Bull’s decision.

“There has been no decision-ma༺king process around Helmut, so I am not quite sure where the rumour has permeated from,” Horner 𝔍replied.

“But it is not something I’ve been involved in.”

Horner went on to add: “My relationship with H꧙elmut is no issue. I think th🅘at he's always outspoken, but that's Helmut.

“Everybody has a role to play no 💙matter what that role is. I think this team has been incrediꦇbly successful, and it has had tremendous ability for a long period of time. That has been one of the keys to our success.”