Jos Verstappen has sensationally called for Christian Horner to leave Red Bull after claiming the team will be “torn apart” if he stays on as Team Principal. His verbal attack comes just hours after son Max drove to a dominant win in the season-opening Grand Prix in Bahrain, with teammate Sergio Perez second.
But the race weekend was overshadowed by the scandal surrounding Horner, despite him being cleared of inappropriate behaviour towards a female employee. That proved far from the end of the matter though, and on Friday messages allegedly sent from the 50-year-old to the complainant were leaked to the press.
Verstappen Snr was pictured liaising with Horner in Bahrain but has now made it clear the Englishman does not have his support. “There is tension here while he remains in position,” he told the Daily Mail.
The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
Reports also claim that Verstappen Snr, 51, had a heated row in Horner’s office following qualifying on Friday night. The Dutchman allegedly stormed out of the meeting before later returning to the room and agreeing to shake hands.
But he denied any involvement in the leaked e-mails, arguing: “That wouldn’t make sense. Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here?”
Horner has remained defiant throughout the investigation and subsequent controversy, strongly maintaining his innocence. And he was joined in the Middle East this weekend by his wife Geri, with the pair pointedly holding hands together as they walked from the paddock.
But the candid words of Verstappen’s father threaten to divide the Red Bull team. Son Max has a notably close relationship with Horner, and is undoubtedly the team’s prize asset having claimed three straight world titles in succession.
During his post-race interview with Sky Sports F1 on Saturday, Horner was blunt when asked whether he would be on duty in Jeddah next weekend. He replied: “Yes, absolutely. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
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