The father of Red Bull Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has said the team is “in danger of being torn apart” if boss Christian Horner remains in charge.
Horner, who has been principal of the team since it entered F1 in 2005, was recently cleared of allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague after an investigation by its Austrian parent company Red Bull GmbH.
The 50-year-old British boss has always denied the claims but some have continued to question his position after a file of hundreds of leaked WhatsApp messages was sent to key figures within the sport from an anonymous email account.
It is not clear whether the messages were included in the misconduct investigation and whether they are genuine.
Horner put on a united front with his wife, former Spice Girl Geri, at the Bahrain Grand Prix over the weekend as the team’s drivers Verstappen and Sergio Perez finished first and second respectively in the opening round of the new F1 season.
But Verstappen’s father, Jos, told the Daily Mail: “There is tension here while he (Horner) remains in position.
“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.”
Some have speculated that Jos Verstappen, who is not an employee of Red Bull Racing, wants to oust Horner from the team.
However, the 51-year-old Dutchman commented: “That wouldn’t make sense. Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here?”
Jos Verstappen in Bahrain. Pic: AP
Responding to Verstappen Snr’s comments, a Red Bull Racing spokesperson said: “There are no issues here. The team are united and we are focused on racing.”
Horner ‘absolutely’ staying for 2024 season
After Saturday’s race, Horner was asked whether he would remain in post for the rest of the season, to which he replied: “Absolutely, absolutely.”
Jos and Max Verstappen in Qatar last October. Pic: AP
He previously said in a statement about the WhatApps: “I am not going to comment on anonymous speculative messages from an unknown source.
“I am not going to comment on what motives whatever person may have for doing this.
“Obviously, it has not been pleasant with some of the unwanted attention, but the focus is very much on the cars and my focus has been on what is happening on track and the result today demonstrates where the focus is and we move onwards.
“There was a full, lengthy internal process that was completed by an independent KC and the grievance that was raised was dismissed. End of. Move on.”
The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, was among the spectators at Saturday’s race. Pic: AP
Horner is set to be back in the spotlight on Thursday when the cars hit the track in practice for the next round in Saudi Arabia.
