F1
Jos Verstappen fuels the fire at Red Bull: “The team risks tearing itself apart” with Horner
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The Christian Horner affair seems far from over. If the principal director of Red Bull, accused of inappropriate behavior towards an employee of the Austrian stable, was cleared earlier this week after an internal investigation, the fire is still smoldering in Milton Keynes. And just after the Bahrain Grand Prix, won by Max Verstappen, it was the father of today's winner, Jos Verstappen, who threw gasoline into the fire.
The former pilot of Formula 1, present in Bahrain for the first race of the 2024 season, spoke to the Daily Mail and stepped up to protest against the retention of Christian Horner at the head of Red Bull. “ As long as it stays in place there will be tension here, declared Jos Verstappen to the British media, and confirmed by Reuters. The team risks tearing itself apart. It can't continue like this. It's going to explode. He plays the victim when he is the one causing the problems. »
Statements are making a lot of noise and which will shake, once again, the Austrian team internally. In Bahrain, Christian Horner seemed very serene and comfortable in his position, he who appeared hand in hand with his partner, Geri Halliwell, arriving in the paddock.
Jos Verstappen denies sending anonymous email
The Red Bull team boss said he would not comment on the matter, nor on the anonymous email sent to numerous journalists ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix containing alleged material from the independent investigation. “I have the support of an incredible family, an incredible wife, an incredible team and everyone on this team, and I'm focused on going racing, winning races and do my best. »
Jos Verstappen, for his part, denied any involvement in the anonymous email. “That wouldn’t make any sense. Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here? ", did he declare. The Dutchman's comments tarnish a weekend that seemed perfect for Red Bull, with the victory of his son Max Verstappen and the double won during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Especially since the 52-year-old former pilot would have been seen alongside Toto wolff, Team Principal of Mercedes, in the Sakhir paddock on Saturday evening…
ALSO READ > Max Verstappen winner in Bahrain: “I was one with my Red Bull”
Dorian Grangier
A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
05/03/2024 at 11:51 a.m.
A very recent rumor announces that Ford is now looking to leave the Red Bull ship following this Hornergate... We may not be at the end of our surprises!
DANIEL MEYERS
04/03/2024 at 11:39 a.m.
So, what do we have? On the one hand the Verstappen "clan", whose father is not an angel, his troubles with the law are there to enlighten us! So when he explains, 'how it should be done' it leaves me speechless, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt. Let's take a step back, there is no need to be a soothsayer to know with near certainty that the 2026 BRPT/Ford engine will not immediately be up to standard (the same goes for Audi!), another part of the puzzle, Max with a contract with 2028 term. Maybe someone had a brilliant idea, make Horner and even Newey leave by ripple effect to be able to activate an early departure clause and change creameries, that's good, there's a place at Mercedes, and they they know how to do the engines! Now, it's double or nothing if this screws up the Verstappens (all of them) will be immediately ejected from F1, better (or worse it depends) from all motorsport.
Yves-Henri RANDIER
03/03/2024 at 04:56 a.m.
What is Verstappen Senior involved in? Despite his denials, wouldn't he be at the origin of this whole "story" with this good Doktor Helmut? Two clans at RBR, Marko and the Verstappens against Horner, this doesn't really smell good... and F1 doesn't come out any better!