Max Verstappen’s father told The Daily Mail that “there is tension while he remains in position,” alluding to Horner, after his son won the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first race of the season.
“The team is in danger of being torn apart,” he continued. Things cannot continue as they are. It’s going to blow up. Even though he is the one creating the issues, he is acting the victim.
Red Bull said in a statement to CNN on Monday, “This is untrue. Our focus is on racing and we are working together as a team.
Red Bull initiated an independent investigation in February following Horner’s alleged inappropriate behavior toward an unidentified member of the racing team. Horner was exonerated last week by the investigation of any misconduct.
A day later, on Thursday, purportedly leaked emails from an anonymous email address were sent to F1 community members. There were WhatsApp messages on a Google drive attached to that email. It was sent in secret via email to prominent race officials, teams, and journalists worldwide.
Red Bull said in a statement to CNN about the mass email that “it would be inappropriate for Red Bull to comment on this as it is a private matter between Mr. Horner and another.”
Following the disclosure of the leaked messages, Horner restated his denial of any wrongdoing.
Jos Verstappen refuted being the source of the messages that were leaked in an interview with the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
So why would I act in that way? Max feels at home here, is doing well, and has a contract with Red Bull through 2028,” he said. “I’m not at all interested in that.”
