Jos Verstappen has revealed his son “doesn’t like” the questions about Christian Horner amid reports that Max now has a break clause in his Red Bull Formula 1 deal.
Although Red Bull’s dominance has continued on track in the nascent stages of 2024, the headlines surrounding the team have circulated on the saga involving Horner.
While the Red Bull Team Principal was cleared following allegations of inappropriate behaviour, Verstappen Sr said Horner’s presence threatened to “tear apart” the team.
Verstappen Sr was pictured speaking with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff in Bahrain, with the Austrian searching for a replacement for Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
The sensational rumours linking Verstappen with a Mercedes move were heightened in Saudi Arabia when Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko stated he could be suspended.
When the three-time F1 champion was asked about Marko’s situation, he asserted that the departure of his long-time confidant could trigger problems with his own future.
With Verstappen expressing that he wants the news to be on Red Bull’s ongoing success, Jos has confirmed his son is becoming frustrated with external developments.
“It’s part of it, but it’s also necessary to calm down,” he told Sporza. “It is necessary to regain calm in the team, but given the circumstances, it will take some time I think.
“I can’t say much about it. Hopefully they can concentrate on racing again soon, because that’s what it’s all about.
“The important thing is that he [Max] keeps winning, whatever he does. The car is running very well and between the engineers and him there is also nothing wrong.
“Max can switch off a certain part, only he gets a lot of questions about it. He doesn’t like that, but it’s part of Formula 1.”
Following the increased tension within the Red Bull camp, Motorsport.com has since published that Verstappen’s contract through 2028 now contains an exit clause.
The option to exit his deal in advance of the expiration date was not included in the initial terms when Verstappen put pen to paper in 2022 and is tied to Marko’s future.
It is reported that the clause was “put in place unilaterally by the Verstappens and Marko without Red Bull’s F1 team, nor Horner, knowing anything about it at the time”.
According to Motorsport.com, Marko was capable of authorising such an action due to his status as a Red Bull Racing director allowing him to permit such a measure.
While Wolff remarked that he would do “handstands” to sign Verstappen and that Marko was welcome at Mercedes, the Austrian divulged that he’ll remain at Red Bull.
This came following talks ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – where Red Bull landed a second consecutive 1-2 – between Marko and Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff.
