Max Verstappen’s father Jos has said that the Red Bull Formula 1 outfit could risk being “torn apart” if Christian Horner continues to remain in charge of the team.
Ahead of the opening F1 race of the 2024 season, Horner had been the subject of an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour against a colleague.
Following an extensive process that saw the parent Red Bull company hire an external barrister, Horner was exonerated of the accusations on Wednesday evening.
Horner had continued in his role throughout the probe and declared that he had the full backing of Red Bull as the team began the season with a dominant 1-2 finish.
But with questions over the investigation continuing to be asked, Jos Verstappen has now suggested that Horner should vacate his position to defuse the situation.
Horner had held meetings with both the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali in Bahrain to discuss the saga’s impact on the sport.
“There is tension here while he remains in position,” Jos Verstappen 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.”
The origin of rumours surfacing in the Dutch press during the investigation prompted speculation that the Verstappen camp had been behind certain leaks.
However, Jos Verstappen has denied that, citing that he would have no reason to disrupt the team when Max is gearing up to win his fourth consecutive F1 title.
“That wouldn’t make sense,” he answered when that was put to him. “Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here?”
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen believes that Horner’s leading role in Red Bull’s success can not be understated but refused to publicly back his long-time team boss.
When asked after qualifying whether he retained faith in Horner, he said: “Listen, when I look at how Christian operates within the team, he has been an incredible team boss.
“So absolutely, from the performance side of things, you can’t even question that. So that’s what I’m also dealing with.
“I speak to Christian a lot. And also, of course, throughout the weekend here, he’s fully committed to the team.
“He’s also here for the performance, of course. Probably a little bit distracted.
“But like I said before, we just focus on the performance side of things. And that’s how we all work together.”
Given Jos Verstappen’s past rather more serious shenanigans, that seems to be the pot calling the kettle black.