Marko: 'Would surprise me if Mercedes has not contacted Max'

"I was not involved in the situation and cannot and will not comment on it," Marko told Sky's German branch the day after the statement. So, from the Milton Keynes-based team, we will not hear anything more about the - now-closed - Horner issue.

Earlier, the 80-year-old Marko was more talkative to Kronen Zeitung when it came to his team's expectations in the upcoming Formula 1 season. In 2023, Red Bull experienced their best year ever in the top class of motorsport with 21 wins in 22 Grands Prix. Can Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez win all races this season?

"That is not our goal. Of course, we want to come close to this dream result, but the competition has come closer. Our goal is the World Championship title. But we have to wait and see: the test days are one thing, not all the cards have been revealed yet, qualifying on Friday is something else," he said. Marko praises Verstappen again. "Max simply has no upper limits: incredible sovereignty, coupled with tremendous composure and extreme precision."

Last winter, it was announced that Mercedes will have to look for a new driver before 2025. This is because Lewis Hamilton will leave for Ferrari by then, leaving a vacancy next to George Russell. Whether Mercedes has contacted Verstappen? "I would be surprised if they had not. But Max is a very loyal driver," Marko concludes.