Verstappen's dad makes Saudi Grand Prix decision after Horner demand ignored

04 March 2024 , 12:53

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Jos Verstappen will not attend the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix (Image: Kym Illman)

Jos Verstappen has decided he will not attend this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after publicly calling for Christian Horner to leave Red Bull.

Verstappen Snr, the father of three-time Formula 1 world champion Max, has been outspoken in the wake of the investigation into Horner after the Red Bull Racing team principal was cleared following allegations of "inappropriate behaviour".

Horner has protested his innocence throughout the process, however, the investigation - and the subsequent leaking of texts and images alleged to be of Horner and a female colleague - overshadowed Verstappen Jr's win in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Speaking in the aftermath of Saturday's race, Verstappen Snr insisted: "There is tension here while he (Horner) remains in position. The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can't go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems."

Fewer than 48 hours on from those comments, ESPN is reporting that Verstappen Snr has decided he will no longer attend the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The report goes on to outline that the Dutchman was seen having a 'heated argument' the night before the Bahrain Grand Prix, although Verstappen Snr would later come back and apologise.

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Despite Verstappen Snr's public call for Horner to leave, the Red Bull chief ignored that request by confirming he had no intentions of standing down over the weekend.

While his father has not held back in recent days, Verstappen himself has adopted a more conservative approach. He did not, however, publicly back Horner when asked about the situation.

Verstappen Snr and Christian Horner spoke at the Bahrain Grand Prix (Getty)

Verstappen said: "From my side, and I think what I can see also from the mechanics and the engineers, we are fully focused on the car and the performance here during the weekend. And that's how it should be, I think, and that's what we continue to do, because it's not our business. We're not particularly involved in that.

"And we are here, we are paid to do our job, and that's what we are doing and that's also what we love doing. So that's what we focus on."

Red Bull achieved a one-two in Saturday's race with Verstappens' team-mate, Sergio Perez, finishing in second place. Horner took the opportunity post-race to insist that the team was "absolutely" united.

He said: "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."

Dan Marsh