Toto Wolff has talked up his "good relationship with both Max Verstappen and his father after the Red Bull driver threatened to quit if Helmut Marko is forced out of the team.
Red Bull have been dealing with a turbulent turn of events off the track this season following the investigation into Christian Horner over allegations he faced from a female employee.
In a fresh twist, Marko now appears to be at the centre of a separate internal investigation at Red Bull.
It's been reported that the 80-year-old is at risk of suspension from Red Bull with doubts over his future.
Marko did little to quell the rumours as the former racing driver called it a "theoretical possibility" he might not be in attendance for the Australian Grand Prix.
Toto Wolff has a good relationship with Max Verstappen
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Wolff has now weighed into the saga, insisting Marko's departure from Red Bull would be a huge blow for the defending champions.
"If Helmut is lost to the team, it will certainly be a loss for Red Bull and for the team," he said.
“Helmut was never a child of sadness. He was my ‘favourite enemy’ here.at least 2 paragraphs
“He was a real racer. He certainly made a huge contribution to the team’s performance over the years.
“Verstappen and the young drivers all come from him, that’s his nose for the young drivers. It would definitely be a setback for the team if Helmut were to leave.”
Wolff was also asked once again about the prospect of Mercedes possibly pouncing on Red Bull's situation and taking Verstappen to replace Hamilton.
The Mercedes chief admitted that conversations have been had with the Verstappen family.
However, Wolff went on to admit that those talks don't necessarily mean a deal is possible with Verstappen.
“We have one seat free in 2025 and 2026," he added.
Helmut Marko is reportedly under investigation
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"But Max will drive where there is the fastest car, and that is the Red Bull today.
"We've been talking to each other for ten years, since he's been in Formula 1. I have a good relationship with Jos and also with Max.
"But that doesn't mean that we would see a change on the professional side in the short term."
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Max Verstappen has four years remaining on his contract
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Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, but the Dutchman has hinted he could leave if Marko is forced out.
He said: "If such an important pillar falls away, it is not good for my situation and I have told the team that. He is an important part in my decision-making for the future.
"For me, Helmut has to stay. I have a lot of respect for him, and what we have achieved together. It goes very far."
