Just when not seemed it was safe for Christian Horner to go out in the Formula One paddock, a bitter new row has erupted within the Red Bull team. The boss in Milton Keynes was accused earlier this season of “inappropriate behaviour” towards an employee, though an investigation by an external Kings Council top lawyer cleared Christian of any wrong doing.
At that time Jos Verstappen accused the Red Bull boss of “tearing the team apart” and called for him to be removed. Yet its almost certain Verstapen Snr was the mouthpiece of Austrian minority shareholders whose plot to remove Horner came undone when the Thai majority shareholder stepped in to given the longest standing F1 team boss his backing.
The female employee’s legal representatives stated she would appeal the decision, though several months on no news has emerged as to how this process is being resolved. Verstappen Snr’s ire towards Horner is believed to be down to the fact that Jos had previously had a relationship with the employee and was upset with Horner over his alleged ‘sexting’ disclosed by an anonymous email sent to around 130 senior paddock figures.
Trouble in Austria
TJ13 earlier reported yesterday that Jos Verstappen claimed he has been banned by Red Bull team boss Christian Horner from taking part in a “Legends parade” this weekend at the Red Bull ring. Verstappen Snr was set to drive the 2012 RB8 car alongside the likes of Gerhard Berger, David Coulthard, Emerson Fitipaldi and Johnny Herbert, all Formula One race winners.
Of course Jos ‘the boss’ never won an F1 race and it appears the event was organised by the Austrians who are part of the Red Bull Energy company’s main board, although the majority Thai shareholder and the Formula One team were not appraised of the event until the last minute.
Jos accuses Horner of talking behind his back
Speaking to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Verstappen senior stated: “In the last few days I have heard from several sources that Christian Horner has done everything he can to prevent me from driving. And to make sure that nothing else was filmed. So I thought, ‘Say it to my face!’,”
“This is not the way it has to be for me, I find it very disappointing,” Verstappen is quoted as saying.
Of course the Red Bull Racing team support their historic cars running in demonstration and parade events, so it appears strange the F1 team were not informed of the promoters’ intentions. As this season began, there was internal strife between the Austrians on the main board of the Energy drinks company and Christian Horner who they apparently sought ton oust from his role of team principal.
Jos has been the mouthpiece for the men in grey suits suggesting Horner was “tearing the team apart” in na public statement in Bahrain. Yet the Thai majority shareholder chose to back his F1 team boss and the coup detente fizzled out despite Max Verstappen being dragged into the issues as it was suggested Dr. Helmut Marko would be ousted from the F1 team.
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“I’m completely finished with Horner”
Christian Horner was questioned over the comments made by Jos which alleged he had intervened ton prevent Max’s father participating in the ‘Legends Parade.’
Other reports from Fomrula1.ne contained further quotes from Jos Verstappen who called out Horner for his alleged petulant behaviour.
“How childish can you be. There was going to be filming, for example also with a drone, but Horner didn’t want me to be filmed. I’m completely finished with Horner. It’s like a kindergarten here. I would have been allowed to ride in the end, but I backed out. I find this so childish of Horner, but I think it says something about him.”
The Red Bull team boss candidly responded to questions over the latest allegations from Verstappen Snr telling assembled media: “Look, I’ve been made aware. The legends parade is something that is organised by the circuit. There was no veto from my side or anything like that. And I’m sure the legends will be in action later.”
Horner calls Jos ‘a liar’
Of course the Red Bull’s team boss comments are a direct challenge to the truth of Jos Verstappen’s claims and Horner sought to dispel any rumours that the troubles he was experiencing with Jos would affect the relationship with his world champion wining driver.
The rumours spread by the Austrian’s and Jos Verstappen that Dr. Helmut Marko was to be suspended imminently lured Max into discussing the effect on him should this sacking of the 81 year old Austrian occur.
Whilst stopping short of saying he would leave the team, Max chose to state it was important to keep the ‘band together’, implying his support for his mentor and friend.
Horner emphasised the good relationship he still had with max Verstappen telling reporters, “The relationship with Max has always been very good, very strong, He’s a key part of our team and he’s our driver – he’s the one that it’s important to have a strong relationship with.
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“I’ve never had an issue with any of our drivers’ fathers in the past and whatever Jos’ issues are, I’ve really got nothing to comment on.”
Horner has been under attack from Toto Wolff who claimed the Red Bull team boss had no idea that his star driver was looking around for another team. Christian also addressed this rumour-mongering and added his own spice into the mix, as he referred the the fact Toto Wolff had lost his seven times world champion despite him signing a two year contract just four months before he decided to leave the sinking ship in Brackley for Ferrari next season.
”A lot of noise has been made about him going elsewhere and sometimes one just thinks that that’s a distraction tactic that’s just thrown in.
“You have to question what are the motives behind that? The driver that’s created all the movement in the market had all the information about the engines and 2026 regulations and so on and chose to leave and left a vacancy at Mercedes.
“Which is why there has now been a little bit of speculation as to who will fill that seat, but it won’t be Max Verstappen.”
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Horner makes the observation clearly, that were Mercedes in line to once again dominate the sport in 2026 when the new engine regulations come into force, Hamilton would surely have not left for pastures new.
Max had been grilled in the Thursday drivers press conference in Austria, over the rumours spread by Wolff that he was in line for a Mercedes drive in the near future. This is something Horner picked up on, given Verstappen had become frustrated with the repeated questioning on the subject.
“I thought Max was pretty resolute in what he said in this press conference. He’s always been absolutely consistent with that with the team,” said the Red Bull supremo.”
Christian then quipped there was a Verstappen available if Toto insisted: “So yeah, why Toto… I think it’s purely a tactic of distraction. Of course, if he does want a Verstappen for next year, then I guess Jos is potentially available.”
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“No individual is bigger than the team”
Horner went on to point out the success Max has had in Formula One is all due to his relationship with Red Bull. Toto Wolff missed out on an opportunity to sign the teenager before he committed to the Milton Keynes team back in 2015.
“It only reaffirms everything that we already know. Max is an important part of our team,” said Horner. “He’s had all of his victories and podiums in Red Bull Racing cars, his three world championships so far.
“He’s a crucial member of the team. He enjoys being part of the team. He’s got a tremendous group around him. And, we know what the future looks like.”
In response to the vague threats from Verstappen back in Jeddah that there were certain “crazy” scenarios whereby Max would leave the team, Horner made it clear: “No individual is bigger than the team.”
Whilst Max is clearly making the difference in the RB20 and keeping the charging McLaren’s behind, the team pre-existed his karting career and was dominant with Sebastian Vettel and will be again long after Verstappen has called it a day on his F1 involvement.
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It appears Daniel Ricciardo’s time in Formula One is rapidly drawing to a close. He was recruited at the insistence of Red Bull team boss last season to replace the failed rookie driver Nyck de Vries. The Red Bull and V-Carb driver line ups have become a political football over the past two seasons, with Dr. Helmut Marko and Christian Horner taking opposing views on who should be in which F1 seat.
Nyck de Vries was recruited following his stellar performance in 2022 when he stood in last minute for Williams Alex Albon who had been stricken on Friday night in Monza with appendicitis. The young Dutch driver qualified ahead of his team mate in P13 and went on to claim points for P9 in his maiden F1 outing… READ MORE
