Max Verstappen’s father has issued a warning about the future of Red Bull Racing as controversy over team principal Christian Horner’s alleged misconduct towards team employees engulfs F1 before the start of the season.
Jos Verstappen, himself a former F1 star, told the Daily Mail that the Red Bull team would “explode” if Horner remained as principal.
“There will be tension here while he remains in the position,” he told the UK-based newspaper. “The team is on the verge of collapse. It can’t go on like this. It’s going to explode. He’s playing the victim when he’s the one causing the problem.”
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Max Verstappen and Christian Horner celebrate after the conclusion of the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 2, 2024. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Max Verstappen won Saturday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, starting his 2023 season after a hiatus. The 2024 season was supposed to be greeted with excitement, but the controversy at Red Bull has become the talk of the track.
The team’s parent company on Wednesday dismissed allegations of misconduct by Mr. Horner against team employees.
However, during race practice on Thursday, a file allegedly containing evidence against Horner, including text messages, was made available to around 200 people in the F1 paddock, including Liberty Media, F1, the FIA, team principals and media outlets. Sent by email. According to the Associated Press.
Jos Verstappen was accused of leaking the files, which he denied.
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Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, arrives before the first free practice of the Austrian F1 Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria, on July 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthias Schroeder, File)
Mr. Horner maintains his innocence.
“I do not comment on anonymous speculation, but again, I have always denied the allegations,” said a statement read to reporters by a team spokesperson on Thursday, attributed to Horner.
“I respect the integrity of the independent investigation and co-operated fully at every step. This was a thorough and fair investigation carried out by an independent specialist barrister and concluded with the dismissal of charges. I will remain fully focused for the start of the season. ”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem told the Financial Times that the controversy surrounding Horner was “damaging the sport” but that the FIA would not launch an independent investigation unless a complaint was lodged.
He said complaints filed with the company’s compliance department will be investigated, but not yet.
Max Verstappen celebrates winning 1st place in the F1 Bahrain GP on March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
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“It’s damaging the sport,” Ben Sulayem said. “This is harmful on a human level.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
