Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner was defiant in Friday’s Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix press conferences amid argumentative claims from Jos Verstappen.
Jos, the father of Max Verstappen, was scheduled to participate in the Austrian GP Legends parade this weekend behind the wheel of the 2012 Red Bull RB8, but elected to withdraw from the event, blaming Horner in the process.
“In recent days, I have heard from several sides that Christian Horner has done everything to not let me drive,” Verstappen told Dutch publication De Telegraaf.
“And otherwise to make sure that nothing would be filmed. “Then I think, ‘Say it in my face’. This way, it doesn’t have to be for me, I find it very disappointing.”
Furthermore, Verstappen told Formule1.nl “How childish can you be? There was going to be filming, also with a drone, but Horner didn’t want me to be filmed.
“I’m completely finished with Horner. It’s like a playground here. I would have been allowed to drive in the end, but I backed out. I find this so childish of Horner, but I think it says something about him.”
This isn’t the first time Verstappen has taken issue with Horner in 2024.
Earlier in the season he claimed the Team Principal remaining at the helm of Red Bull could “tear apart” the team amid allegations of misconduct that were dismissed by a King’s Counsel.
However, Horner categorically denied he prevented Verstappen from participating in the legends parade.
“Look, I’ve been made aware,” Horner said on Friday.
“The Legends Parade is something that is organized 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.”
With tensions rising between Horner and Verstappen senior, one could argue that could affect Red Bull’s relationship with its start driver but its Team Principal says the driver/team bond is strong.
“The relationship with Max has always been very good, very strong,” Horner said.
“He’s a key part of our team. He’s our driver, he’s the one that is important obviously to have a strong relationship with.
“I’ve never had an issue with any of our drivers’ fathers in the past. Whatever Jos’s issues are, I’ve really got nothing to comment on.
“My interest is in the performance of the team. We have a wonderful team.
“We’ve got great drivers, in Max, we’ve got the best driver in the world. He came to our team as a young man, and he’s grown and grown in stature.
“He’s grown as a driver and as a human being. And I think the way he conducts himself, the way he works with the team is outstanding. And that is my key interest.
“It’s about the performance of the team. It’s about how the team works. And of course, we’ve enjoyed tremendous success.
“Despite the distractions of this year, we’ve still won 70% of the races, including two sprint races and seven poles. We lead both world championships.
“So yeah, you can’t control everything in life. I can’t control relationships with drivers’ fathers. But my focus is on the performance of our drivers, the performance of our team. That’s where it will all remain.”
Jos seems intent on disrupting relationships within the Red Bull set-up, particularly with his son and Horner, but the latter isn’t willing to let rifts or distractions take precedence.
“I don’t think it’s really helpful to continue talking on the topic of Jos,” he said.
“I think our focus is very much on Max. He’s our driver, he’s who we have a contract with, and he’s who we’re focused on trying to win this grand prix with.”
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