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A rift within Red Bull appears to be intensifying after Max Verstappen’s father Jos warned that the team is “in danger of splitting apart” if Christian Horner remains in charge amid the ongoing controversy surrounding team principal.
Horner remains in the spotlight to start the new Formula One season after a tumultuous few days in Bahrain. Despite Verstappen’s stellar performance to claim his eighth consecutive grand prix win, beating teammate Sergio Perez by more than 20 seconds, his father has spoken out about the divisions within the team. The situation remains the biggest news in the sport.
The situation became public in early February, when Red Bull Racing’s parent company Red Bull Ltd announced it had launched an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior against Horner and said it was taking the allegation “extremely seriously”.
On Wednesday, Red Bull announced that an investigation by an outside agency had resulted in the complaint being dismissed, noting that the complainant had the right to appeal. The next day, extensive information allegedly between Horner and the female complainant was anonymously leaked to senior F1 officials and the international media. CompetitorCompanies that received the leaked emails directly have not been able to verify the contents, and Horner has repeatedly declined to comment on the messages.
Jos Verstappen warned in an interview with the Daily Mail: “When (Horner) stayed put, there was tension here. The team was in danger of falling apart. Things can’t go on like this.
“It’s going to explode. He’s playing the victim when he’s the one causing the problem.”
Chalerm Yoovidhya (centre), whose family owns 51% of Red Bull, attends the Bahrain Grand Prix podium ceremony with Christian Horner (second from right) and his wife Geri Halliwell-Horner (right). (Andrei Isakovich/AFP)
Jos Verstappen raced in F1 from 1994 to 2003, and although he had no official role with the team, he was crucial to his son’s career and success. He made similar comments about the controversy in a separate interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, which was also published after Saturday night’s game.
Asked about Verstappen’s comments, a Red Bull spokesman said: “There are no issues here, the team is united and we are focused on the race.”
Tensions escalate
Jos Verstappen’s comments have publicly pitted the father of the team’s star driver against the team principal.
He attended most of his son’s games. Although he is not an employee of Red Bull Racing, his close relationship with Max means he is considered to have some influence. He was seen wearing a Red Bull jacket for the second practice session in Bahrain on Thursday, during which the anonymous email was circulated.
After the game, Horner said he “wouldn’t comment on what anyone might have been” about the leak.
Jos denied his involvement in the leak to the Daily Mail and Telegraph, telling the Daily Mail: “It doesn’t make sense. Why would I do this if Max is doing so well here?” Woolen cloth?”
Since the death of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022, there have been increasing signs of friction within the team. Mateschitz is the undisputed leader of the company’s F1 endeavors and his absence has led to heightened tensions among senior figures within the team. company.
After the race, Horner said he was “absolutely” confident in continuing to lead the team and that he was “focused on the season ahead and the races ahead” after the investigation process was completed.
“The complaint filed has been dismissed,” Horner said. “It’s over. Move on.”
He said it was “not pleasant and the attention was unwanted” but spoke of the “huge support” he had received from within the team and wider Red Bull.
Before the game, Horner spoke to Chalerm Yoovidhya, the son of the Red Bull co-founder, whose family owns 51% of Red Bull GmbH. Geri Halliwell-Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell-Horner watched alongside Yoovidhya and his wife after Max Verstappen’s win Podium celebration. José stood a few rows behind them during the ceremony.
Max Verstappen has insisted throughout the investigation into Horner that he was fully focused on what happened on track and that the situation did not distract him from preparing for the new season.
questioner Competitor Verstappen remains confident in Horner’s leadership after taking pole position on Friday, saying: “When I see the way Christian operates in the team, he has been an unbelievable person. Team owner.
“So absolutely, performance-wise, you can’t even question that.” Verstappen said he had “spoken a lot” with Horner and the Red Bull team principal was “fully committed to the team”.
However, his father’s comments will raise new questions about Horner’s dynamic ahead of the season’s second round in Saudi Arabia in just days.
After winning his first championship in 2021, Max signed one of the longest and most lucrative contracts in F1 history with Red Bull until 2028.
The brewing tensions at Red Bull led to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff – who has called for transparency into the investigation – being asked about the chance of Verstappen driving for the team in 2025, replacing Lewis Hamilton.
Wolff said: “The driver will always choose the fastest car. Fundamentally, that’s what it’s all about. At the moment, Red Bull is the fastest car, so in my mind that will always be the priority. matter.”
(Leader photo of Max Verstappen and his father Jos Verstappen before the Bahrain Grand Prix: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
