New investigation at Red Bull as advisor Helmut Marko admits he could be suspended 'relating to media leaks' amid the Christian Horner 'sex texts' scandal engulfing F1 team

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has admitted he could be suspended amid a fresh investigation regarding various media leaks in the Christian Horner text scandal. 

Horner has been at the centre of a roiling storm engulfing the sport after initially being cleared of misconduct by an independent investigation called by his team's parent company Red Bull GmbH.

Less than 24 hours after the decision was publicly communicated - and at the start of the first race weekend of the season in Bahrain - a tranche of leaked texts and pictures alleged to have been sent by Horner to the female employee involved was circulated to key figures within Formula One. 

Now, just one day after the female employee at the centre of the allegations made against Horner was suspended, attention has turned to Marko.

According to MotorSport, Marko confessed to broadcasters in Saudi Arabia that there was a chance he could be absent from the next race in Australia. 

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has admitted he could be suspended amid a fresh investigation

Team principal Christian Horner has been the centre of controversy leading into the season 

The same outlet report that Marko is subject to an investigation by Red Bull relating to various media leaks that have taken place since Horner's text scandal broke.

Marko, last month, had praised the company's handling of Horner's scandal, as he said: 'The sooner a result is available, the better because of course, rumours and other stories are bound to sprout due to the long duration.

'[But] I think Red Bull has reacted very well in this matter. The long duration of this investigation is not their fault. They are endeavouring to [have] a fair investigation and then react accordingly.' 

However, uncertainty over the 80-year-old's place within the Red Bull team is growing following the media leaks regarding Horner's scandal. 

Earlier this week, Mail Sport revealed that Max Verstappen has an astonishing break clause in his contract that allows him to walk out of Red Bull if Marko leaves the team. 

Verstappen is signed up to Red Bull until 2028, earning at least £50million per annum. But the fact his future is tied up with Marko’s means the notion of a possible switch to Mercedes is not so fanciful after all.

Marko, an 80-year-old Austrian, is the company’s motorsport adviser. Triple world champion Verstappen fought for him when there moves afoot to shuffle him out of the door last year – manoeuvrings for which Horner was held responsible. It is understood there is still a wedge between the two sides dating back to this dispute.

Max Verstappen (R) has an astonishing break clause in his contract that allows him to walk out of Red Bull if Marko leaves the team

It was announced in January that Marko had signed a new deal to remain in post until the end of the 2026 season. 

The Verstappen-Marko contract link also strengthens their hands in the bitter dispute eating the insides of what is currently by far the strongest team on the grid.

Verstappen Snr was seen in discussion with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff here in Bahrain last week, and they met for dinner at the five-star Four Seasons hotel in Manama where they were both staying. 

It may have been a meeting of friends, as Verstappen Snr told me, but it is hard to believe it was not intended as a shot across Horner’s bows.

On Friday, Horner claimed he was 'certain' that Verstappen will honour his contract at Red Bull amid speculation that the world champion could move away.

'I'm certain that he will (see out his deal),' the 50-year-old said during Thursday's media duties. 

Despite suggestions that Verstappen could leave, Horner insisted he's confident he'll stay

'I mean, he's got a great team around him, he's got great faith in that team and we've achieved an awful lot together.

'He's committed to an agreement until 2028. And from a team side, from Max's side, we're determined to build on the success that we've achieved already.

'Those 55 victories have all come in Red Bull cars, all of the podiums have come in Red Bull Racing cars, and we're determined to build on that and add hopefully many more in the future.'

While Verstappen has been keen to keep his cards close to his chest and focus on successfully defending his world title, his father has been more outspoken, telling Mail Sport on Sunday that the team is set to 'explode' if Horner does not resign.