Christian Horner at centre of new Red Bull internal row as F1 champion Max Verstappen’s dad Jos tells him ‘say it to my face’ over how he ‘tried to force him out of their Legends Parade’
- Horner’s rivalry with Max Verstappen’s father Jos seems to have flared up again
- Jos lined up to drive his son’s 2018 Red Bull as part of a Legends Parade
- Max’s father is said to have accused Horner of forcing him to move out of his home
Jos Verstappen has renewed his bitter feud with Christian Horner, just days after his son Max committed his future to the Red Bull team for 2025.
Three-time world champion Max has decided to stay with the team next season after his future became a sensitive topic following a scandal involving his team boss Horner earlier this year.
Horner held on to his job after being cleared by an internal investigation into claims he coerced a female employee.
The aftermath of the argument pitted Horner against Max’s father, Jos. According to him, the team would ‘explode’ if the Red Bull team boss kept his job.
Their feud appears to have flared up again after Jos accused Horner of trying to ‘force him out of a Legends Parade’ this weekend as part of the festivities surrounding the Austrian Grand Prix.
Jos Verstappen (right) appears to be reviving his feud with Red Bull boss Christian Horner (left)
Jos accuses Horner of trying to force him not to participate in a ‘Legends Parade’ prior to the Austrian Grand Prix
Jos would drive Max’s Red Bull, which won the Austrian Grand Prix in 2018
According to Dutch outlet The TelegraphVerstappen Snr said: ‘Over the past few days I have heard from several sources that Christian Horner did everything he could to prevent me from driving and otherwise ensure that nothing would be filmed.
‘Then I think ‘just say it to my face’. For me it doesn’t have to be this way, I find it very disappointing.’
Jos is said to have withdrawn from the event, but according to the MirrorRed Bull denies Verstappen’s father’s claim.
During the Legends Parade, Jos would see a Formula 1 car driving by on the Red Bull ring.
Two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi is part of the parade, as are former race winners David Coulthard, Johnny Herbert and Gerhard Berger.
Jos is said to have driven an RB8 to commemorate his son Max’s victory at the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix.
Verstappen Snr had spoken to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff about Max’s move there, despite his son’s contract with Red Bull running until 2028.
Max was happy to stay with Red Bull, a decision that makes perfect sense given that the team has delivered him three consecutive drivers’ titles and he has also won seven of the first ten races this season.
Verstappen has decided to stay with Red Bull for the 2025 season despite interest from Mercedes
Max has won three consecutive titles and has also taken seven victories this season
Horner (left) held on to his job after being cleared by an internal investigation into allegations he coerced a female employee
But as reported by Mail Sport, he does have escape clauses in his contract, not least one that states he can leave if Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Dr Helmet Marko, walks out.
Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was cleared after a lengthy investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague.
Verstappen Snr told Mail Sport in March: ‘There is tension here as he stays in position.
‘The team is in danger of being torn apart. It cannot continue as it is. It will explode. He plays the victim, while he is the one causing the problems.’
The pair also had a blazing row in Horner’s paddock office after qualifying for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Jos left the heated meeting, returned to the room and shook the Englishman’s hand.
He missed subsequent races before returning to the paddock for last month’s Monaco Grand Prix.