Christian Horner is certain the rift between him and Max Verstappen’s father Jos will not lead Red Bull’s star driver to leave the team.
Jos Verstappen told multiple newspapers last week Red Bull would “explode” if Horner remained in charge following the resolution of a month-long investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour by the team principal. Although Horner was cleared, material purportedly considered in the investigation was subsequently leaked.Horner said he had discussed Verstappen’s comments with him but would not elaborate. “I spoke to Jos following the grand prix and obviously congratulated him on his son’s performance.
“I think it’s in everybody’s interests, collectively, that we’ve agreed to move on, to focus on the future. We both have a vested interest in his son to get the best and provide the best cars for him and to get the best out of him and he’s started the season in the best possible way.”
Despite the tension between Verstappen’s family and team leader, Horner said he has no doubt the reigning world champion will remain with them for the rest of his contract.
“I’m certain that he will,” he said. “He’s got a great team around him, he’s got great faith in that team and we’ve achieved an awful lot together.
“He’s committed to an agreement until 2028 and from the team’s side, from Max’s side, we’re determined to build on the success that we’ve achieved already.
“His 55 victories have all come in Red Bull cars, all of the podiums have come in Red Bull Racing cars and we’re determined to build on that and add hopefully many more in the future.”
“Obviously Max’s father has played a key role in his in his career and getting him to Formula 1,” he added. “But obviously Jos is his own man, Max is his own man as well and we’ve seen him go from being a teenager when he joined us to now very much a young man that’s achieved what he has.
“It’s not for me to comment on relationships between between fathers and drivers, they’re all unique between the different individuals.”
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Asd
8th March 2024, 10:43
Right now, having being spoiled by driving the best car for several years now and remembering what it is like when it’s the other guy driving the best car, there is no team for Verstappen to even consider as a potential new team.
But there are 2 events on the horizon that may reshuffle things:
1. The new regulations in 2026
2. Adrian Newey changing teams or calling it quits – the former being a potentiality, the latter being an inevitability
Sonny Crockett (@sonnycrockett)
8th March 2024, 11:47
I think you’re right.
If Max gets wind of Newey leaving Red Bull or retiring, he may well choose to leave.
The Dolphins
8th March 2024, 14:33
Only if Max believes there are greener pastures to explore.
Newey is a real talent and no doubt has built a great team who have benefited under his tutelage for years. As a result I don’t expect the design department to simply fall off the rails due to Newey’s inevitable retirement.
The more likely outcome, in my opinion, would be a new power unit coming in and proving to be a lemon, thus frustrating again Max and Adrian and the pair looking outside the team and outside the sport, respectively.
AlanD
8th March 2024, 21:48
I agree that the Red Bull design team should be strong enough to continue post NEwey, and yet look at MErcedes, they “fell off the rails” quite badly, we’ve had years when the Ferrari and McLaren were complete dogs, and of course the once mighty Williams plummeted. It is really hard to know what tips these teams off the top.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
8th March 2024, 11:22
Interesting what horner said, now that I think about it, verstappen never drove for any car that wasn’t affiliated to red bull in his career, and he started in 2015, that’s a lot, much like hamilton didn’t drive a car that didn’t have a mercedes engine since 2007, 17 years!
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
8th March 2024, 11:22
In the means never drove a car without a merc engine.
Bob C.
8th March 2024, 11:42
Obviously, I know nothing about the dynamics in the Verstappen familiy, nor of any formal role that Jos Verstappen may have in managing Max’ career, but with that caveat:
If I was a young, but adult, person, succesful in my career, and my father kept interfering in not only my employment but in my employer’s whole business, I think the time had come to have a gentle but firm conversation about, however painful it may be to the parent, that there comes a time where you should limit your involvment in your offspring’s life.
MichaelN
8th March 2024, 14:32
You’re not wrong, but Max is just one of many examples of fathers of middling achievement trying to get a second chance at life through their kids. The effect he has had on Max has to be enormous, and the obvious signs of huge pressure and highly conditional appreciation are plain to see in every interview Max has about his youth.
Becoming an independent person takes a lot more than just aging, too.
pcxmac (@pcxmac)
8th March 2024, 11:45
Who knew Horner is really the Dark Lord of the Sith.
RR
8th March 2024, 12:07
It’s like a greek tragedy. Horner’s weakness : wanting a little extra and thinking he can have it at no cost. It’s called hubris.
Now that awful Jos can turn the screw as and when he likes.
Riker (@corsair)
8th March 2024, 13:03
Add to this Red Bull have now suspended the woman who accused Horner of this – on International Women’s Day.
Red Bull’s Policy is apparently to advise to women to “Shut your mouth and take it”.
Constantijn Blondel
8th March 2024, 13:39
Suspended _with full pay_ … that’s important to keep in mind while speculating.
Johns
8th March 2024, 14:36
If she broke the corporate rules for disclosures and email usage, I think it was warranted. JMHO
Crawliin-from-the-wreckage (@davedai)
8th March 2024, 15:24
I’m confused Red Bull have
Then
Seem to be missing some investigation in between.
And release of data that’s a definite legal no-no. And on top of that the “players” are allegedly
Man1 & Woman 1
then Man 2 & same Woman 1
Then Man 2 vs Man1
Then allegations and data release.
What International Women’s Day has to do with it I don’t know . About as relevant I guess as Jos’ birthday being around the time this kicked off.