03 March 2024 , 11:55
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Christian Horner reportedly had a 'falling out' with Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull superstar Max', at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner, Red Bull's team principal, faced allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" but was cleared by an internal investigation earlier this week. That was 24 hours before texts and pictures, allegedly between Horner and a colleague, were leaked.
Horner has maintained his innocence and insists he will not comment on speculation. He's also adamant he'll be in charge for next weekend's race in Saudi Arabia but Verstappen Snr has come out against the Red Bull boss after falling out with him in Bahrain, according to BBC Sport.
The former F1 driver said: "It cannot continue this way. The situation is not good for the team and is driving people apart." Jos also told the Daily Mail that the team would "explode" if Horner remained in charge, adding: "He is playing the victim when he is the one causing problems."
Speaking to De Telegraaf, an outlet in his homeland, he denied being the source of the leaks: "But why would I do that? Max has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, is performing great and feels at home here. I have no interest in that at all."
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The Verstappen family have a huge influence within Red Bull, with Max seen as the premier driver in the sport after delivering three straight world championships. It has also been claimed that Max saw his dad's comments about Horner and did not say anything.
The pair are known to be loyal to the company's motorsport adviser Helmut Marko, who has allegedly clashed with Horner. There is also understood to be animosity between the Thai majority owners and executives at the headquarters in Austria.
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Despite the apparent internal issues, Red Bull were able to begin 2024 how they finished 2023 - with a win. Verstappen Jnr led every lap in Bahrain as he converted his pole position to a race win with Sergio Perez coming through the field to finish in second, ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.
Horner said after the success: "We are a very strong team. We have got tremendous support, tremendous partners and great shareholders behind us as well. You don't achieve this kind of result by not being united."
He added: "Obviously it's not been pleasant, the unwanted attention. But the focus is now very much on the cars. My focus has very much been on what's going on on-track and the result today I think demonstrates where the whole team's focus is and we move onwards."