Via British tabloids, Max Verstappen’s father Jos seems to have ignited the next level of escalation in the ongoing affair surrounding Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. The Daily Mail newspaper quoted the 51-year-old as saying: “He (Horner) plays the victim while he is the one causing the problems.” Verstappen Senior is also said to have said: “The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on like this. It will explode.”
Horner had been accused of inappropriate behavior by an employee. After an investigation by an independent lawyer, the parent company Red Bull announced last Wednesday that the complaint once morest Horner, who had been team boss since 2005, had been rejected. Around 24 hours later, anonymous emails were sent with a link to files relating to the Horner matter. These also went to the other nine team bosses, the bosses of Formula 1 and the world association FIA, as well as Jos Verstappen.
Horner has always denied the allegations. After Max Verstappen’s victory on Saturday, he stated that he fully expects to remain as team boss. “Absolutely, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,” said the 50-year-old. “I have the support of an incredible family, an incredible wife, an incredible team and everyone on this team.”
Horner’s supporter at Red Bull
Since the death of Dietrich Mateschitz, there has been a rumored power struggle between two fronts in the world champion team. As a result, Horner finds himself on one side with Red Bull majority owner Chalerm Yoovidhya as the most important advocate. Contrary to usual practice, the Thai Yoovidhya was also there at the season-opening race in Bahrain. There was also demonstrative support from Horner’s wife, the former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell. The couple has been married since 2015.
On the other side is Red Bull’s Austrian headquarters with the German managing director Oliver Mintzlaff and the Styrian Helmut Marko. The motorsport consultant is close to the Verstappens. The fact that the allegations once morest Horner were first published by a Dutch newspaper at the time had already fueled speculation regarding a possible source. “But why should I do that? Max has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, shows great performances and feels comfortable here. I have no interest in that at all,” emphasized Jos Verstappen in that very newspaper “De Telegraaf”.
Completely unimpressed by the negative headlines, Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez drove to the 29th double victory for the Austrian-British racing team in Bahrain on Saturday. “Of course it wasn’t pleasant, this unwanted attention,” said Horner following the race. He would not comment on what motives the person who sent the emails might have had. It is still unclear who the sender is.
