F1 | Red Bull: Marko holds on to Newey and dismisses the rumors about Alonso

On the eve of the Japanese Grand Prix, a rumor had leaked out according to which Helmut Marko would not be present. The rumors were denied, the Red Bull special consultant showed up regularly on the track on Friday morning.

“As has always happened over the last nineteen years – he clarified – this weekend we are bringing a significant package of updates to the track, and it is important to be there”. Marko's figure is the one most under the spotlight in the post-chaos of the Horner affair, his historic role in the team no longer seems to have as solid a basis as in the past, but for now he remains in his place.

At the end of free practice Marko responded to some of the issues of the moment, mostly aimed at the market, both drivers and technicians, starting with the offer that Aston Martin submitted to Adrian Newey. “It's all true? You have to ask him – he replied – but we know that Newey is a highly sought-after technical director, the one that everyone would like to have. I don't think it was the first offer he received and I think he will receive more.”

Marko then reiterated the importance of the figure within the team's technical organization chart. “Losing Newey would be a big disadvantage, because it would mean seeing him strong on an opposing team. We must consider that a person with his CV brings with him a lot of knowledge and incredible experience. Newey is much more than a capable technician, he is a cult figure for many young engineers who decide to come to our team because they want to work with him. Overall it's a great advantage to have Adrian.”

Finally, Marko commented on some rumors in the driver market, sending a signal regarding the possibility of seeing the Alonso-Verstappen tandem under the same roof. “Perez's contract will expire at the end of this year, even if we are only in April the discussions on the driver market are already heated. In the paddock everyone talks to everyone, but this doesn't surprise me. Put two super champions on the same team? I think it would be difficult…”.