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Helmut Marko has rejected claims that Red Bull are in turmoil, insisting that ‘everything is fine’. Rumours of discontent behind the scenes have been brewing, with team principal Christian Horner at the centre of the saga.Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing following an internal investigation earlier this year after being accused of inappropriate behaviour by a Red Bull employee. It meant the Brit remained in his position, but the saga is said to have increased tensions between Horner and some of his other Red Bull bigwigs.One being Helmut Marko, who has also been linked to a Red Bull exit, amid controversies surrounding his relationship with Horner. Marko came under pressure after claims emerged he’d leaked information regarding the Horner saga. However, in the build-up to the weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, Marko has protested talk of fractions within the team.He said: “I’m flying to Japan. For the Thai shareholders, everything is clear. Everything is fine for them. Whether anything else will come or not – no idea. It is a very complex matter that is difficult to understand.”But, when pressed on his own future, Marko was a little more coy: “Well, I would say, there are always conversations and discussions. My direct supervisor is Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff. Right now we have other concerns than what I’m doing.”One of those other concerns Marko and Red Bull have to deal with is the future of star driver Max Verstappen. The Dutchman has been linked to a shock exit from the Austrian constructor, despite the success he’s enjoyed on the track in recent years .However, Marko still expects Verstappen to stay at Red Bull beyond the current campaign.“At the moment nobody is afraid of that, I think. Two weeks back, though? That may be. But some people also read a lot, I don’t. And I think in general that does help,” Marko explained.He added: “That’s what I do try to tell people, yes, that they better not read it all for a while, certain things. And if there are any questions, anyone in the team can always call me.”If Verstappen decides to pack up and leave Red Bull there would be many options on the table. Ferrari have already put pen to paper on a deal for Lewis Hamilton, it’s likely they’d be ruled out of the running, leaving a select group of teams on the grid that could match his ambitions. One of those are Mercedes, with team principal Toto Wolff having admitted the Silver Arrows would welcome Verstappen with open arms, if he became available.
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