Jos Verstappen fuels the fire at Red Bull: “The team risks tearing itself apart” with Horner
- Published on 03 / 03 / 2024 at 09: 31
- Modified on 03/03/2024 at 10:23
© DPPIThe father of Max Verstappen, winner of the Bahrain GP, has reignited the fire at Red Bull. In comments made in the Daily Mail, the former F1 driver believes that Christian Horner risks “exploding” the Austrian team if he remains in office.
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 Benz, in the Sakhir paddock on Saturday evening…
ALSO READ > Max Verstappen winner in Bahrain: “I was one with my Red Bull”
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A very recent rumor suggests that Ford is now looking to leave the Red Bull ship following this Hornergate scandal… We may not have seen the last of the surprises!
So, what do we have? On one side, the Verstappen "clan," whose father is no angel—his legal troubles speak for themselves! So when he explains "how it should be done properly," it leaves me speechless, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt. Let's take a step back; you don't need to be a fortune teller to know with near certainty that the BRPT/Ford engine in 2026 won't be up to scratch right from the start (the same goes for Audi, by the way!). Another piece of the puzzle: Max's contract runs until 2028. Perhaps someone had a brilliant idea: get Horner and even Newey to leave by domino effect, so they could trigger an early departure clause and switch teams. Conveniently, there's a seat available at Mercedes, and they know how to make engines! Now it's all or nothing; if this fails, the Verstappens (all of them) will be immediately ejected from F1, or worse (or even worse, depending on your perspective) from all motorsport.
What business is it of Verstappen Senior? Despite his denials, isn't he behind this whole "story" with good old Doktor Helmut? Two factions at Red Bull Racing, Marko and the Verstappens against Horner, it doesn't bode well at all… and F1 isn't coming out of this looking good!