Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has weighed in on the intensifying saga surrounding the Red Bull F1 team.

It has emerged that Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko is at r𓂃isk of being suspende💃d as a result of an internal investigation.

The 80-year-old Austrian has admitted he could face💧 disciplinary action with Red Bull investigating how leaks surrounding the Christian Horner scandal occurred.

“If the teꦐam loses Helmut, it would certainly be a loss for Red Bull and for theඣ team,” Wolff is quoted as saying by Austrian broadcaster ORF.

“Helmut was - or ﷽ౠis - our favourite enemy, but he is a real racer.”

After claiming pole position in Saudi Arabia,168澳洲5最新开奖结果: Max Verstappen strongly indicated that his future with Red Bull is tie♔d to the fate of Marko.

"It is very important we keep the key people together because I feel if such an important pillar falls𝔉 away, that's also what I've said to the team, that 💃is not good for my situation as well. So yeah, for sure, for me, Helmut has to stay,” the three-time world champion said.

"He has built this team together with Dietrich [Mateschitz] from day one. And he's always been very loyal to the team, to everyone wꦫithin the tౠeam, to make sure that everyone would keep their positions already from back in the day.

"I think it's also very important, of course, that you give the man a lot of respect for what he has done. And that comes back also to loyalty, you know, and integrity. So, yeah, fo♉r sure, it's important that he stays part of the team, also for me.”

Mercedes will be watching the situation with interest amid suggestions the German manufacturer could seek to take advantage of the riꦏft within Red Bul⭕l by signing Verstappen.

“We have one ꦰseat available, in 2025 𒁃and 2026, but Max will drive wherever there is the fastest car, and today that is the Red Bull,” Wolff said about the possibility of poaching Verstappen.

“We’ve been talking to🙈 each other for ten years, ever since he joined Formula 1. I have a good relationship with Jos [Verstappen's father] and also with Max.

"But that doesn’t mean th𒁃at you would see a change on the professional side in thᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚe short term."