Red Bull respond to rumours about Helmut Marko suspension as Christian Horner saga rages on - 'News to us'

Red Bull have distanced themselves from talk of Helmut Marko potentially being suspended by the side amid the Christian Horner saga.

Marko acts as an advisor for the F1 side and is a key ally to Max Verstappen, who secured pole in qualifying ahead of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix on Friday.

Verstappen suggested he would potentially leave Red Bull if Marko ended up leaving, saying: "It's very important that he stays within the team.

"If such an important pillar falls away, that's not good for my situation as well. So, for me, Helmut has to stay, for sure."

He also said: "My loyalty to (Marko) is very big.

"I've always expressed this to everyone within the team, everyone high up, that he's an important part in my decision-making for all the time in the future as well within the team.

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

"And 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."

​But Red Bull have now seemingly distanced themselves from talk of a potential suspension for the 80-year-old.

A spokesperson has told the BBC, when quizzed on rumours: "That's new to us."

And they also emphasised that Marko was employed directly by Red Bull Gmbh in Austria, rather than Red Bull Racing.

That effectively suggests they don't have the power to dictate what happens with the 80-year-old.

Marko has told Austrian broadcaster ORF that he will decide his future, rather than the F1 team.

"It's difficult to judge, or let's put it this way, ultimately, I'll decide for myself what I do," he said.

"The theoretical possibility always exists.

"It's such a complex issue. Again, we want peace in the team.

"This world championship will be difficult enough with 24 races and we have to concentrate on that."

Horner has always denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour and was recently cleared by Red Bull.

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Verstappen's father, Jos, recently accused the Briton of 'playing the victim' - with Horner's accuser then suspended on Thursday.

And the Dutchman has now launched a fresh attack on Horner, telling the Daily Mail: "I sympathise with the woman, with all that she went through, but we will see what happens."

He added: "I think it's a bit too late for that [drawing a line] now.

"If that's what he wants, fine, but I don't think it will be possible.

"I don't want to talk too much more as it will create problems.

"But the most important thing for me is that Max is happy, that's what counts for me, I just want him to be happy.

"Red Bull seem to know what they are doing with her [the female employee], we will see. But I think it is for her to come out and see what happens.

"I'm not fully up to speed with what is happening with her.

"But all these things that are going on are having an influence on Max."