Christian Horner ‘wasn’t invited to Jos Verstappen’s birthday’ after star driver Max’s father called for him to resign… but one key Red Bull ally DID make the guestlist at the Dubai dinner

Christian Horner was not invited to Jos Verstappen’s birthday party in Dubai on Monday evening due to a deterioration in relations, according to reports in Germany.

The controversial team boss is said to be at odds with the father of Red Bull’s star driver Max after they were spotted in a heated row on Friday following the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend.

Mail Sport exclusively reported that Verstappen Snr believes the champion constructor will ‘explode’ if Horner does not walk away from his role at Red Bull in the wake of the toxic leaked WhatsApp scandal that has engulfed the paddock.

Horner was cleared of wrongdoing following an independent investigation called last Wednesday by the team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH, but less than 24 hours later an anonymous emailed leak of 79 documents revealed Horner sent sexually suggestive messages to the female employee at the center of the organization. the research circulated among the sport’s key figures.

The 50-year-old and his Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell put on a show of unity ahead of the first race of the season, after the pop star flew to the Gulf state to watch Verstappen Jr. started his title defense in Sakhir.

The former Formula 1 driver called on his son’s team boss to resign or risk the Red Bull project ‘exploding’

The men were seen in a heated argument on Friday after qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix

But there were no such niceties between Horner and the three-time world champion’s father after the former was left out of the latter’s birthday dinner in the UAE.

From BILDespite Horner also staying in Dubai before flying to Jeddah for this week’s Grand Prix, he was removed from the guest list amid the ruckus in the Red Bull garage.

One key Red Bull figure present at the dinner will come as no surprise to those following the turbulent civil war within the British manufacturer.

Dr. Helmut Marko was invited to join the festivities due to his close ties to the Verstappen family – and his role at Red Bull could yet determine whether Verstappen Jr. stays or leaves the team where he made his name.

The 26-year-old is thought to have a break clause in his £50million-a-year contract, which is linked to whether Marko has a role at the constructor.

Marko – Red Bull GmbH’s motorsport advisor – is not employed by Red Bull Racing, but last season Horner was held responsible for moves to sideline him from both Red Bull and sister team RB (then AlphaTauri).

Verstappen Jr. argued for Marko’s eventual contract extension, which will keep the 80-year-old in his position until at least 2026.

But if Marko parted ways with the team, the driver could still make a shocking move across the grid.

His father was seen talking to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff in Bahrain this weekend, sparking speculation that Verstappen Jr. could take the seat vacated by outgoing driver Lewis Hamilton in 2025.

Red Bull’s motorsport advisor was invited to dinner in Dubai because of his ties to the family

Horner and his Spice Girl wife Geri put on a show of unity in the paddock this weekend

Max Verstappen posted a moving tribute in honor of his father’s birthday on social media

Horner is believed to have tried to make peace with Verstappen on Monday during a meeting in Dubai with Raymond Vermeulen, his driver’s manager.

Neither Verstappen Jnr nor Snr were present at the meeting, but the peace talks are said to have gone smoothly.

However, the team boss will have to make do with just one member of the family in the garage during this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with Jos flying back to Europe to take part in a rally in Belgium.

Verstappen took to social media to wish his father a happy birthday on Monday, sharing photos of the pair over the years with the message ‘Congratulations Dad’.