Jos Verstappen has responded with unexpected restraint to Christian Horner's departure from Red Bull, according to revelations from Craig Slater.
The father of Max Verstappen, who has been a prominent figure in the Red Bull garage since 2016, is reportedly not revelling in the former team principal's exit.
This measured reaction stands in stark contrast to their well-documented tensions.
Verstappen Sr had previously warned that retaining Horner might cause the team to "fall apart", making his current stance particularly noteworthy.
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|Jos Verstappen has responded with unexpected restraint to Christian Horner's departure from Red Bull, according to revelations from Craig Slater
The 51-year-old Horner was dismissed from his position in early July, ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.
Speaking on Ted Kravitz's Belgian Grand Prix Podbook, Slater revealed insights into Verstappen Sr's attitude towards the situation.
"What I have heard about Jos Verstappen is, and I think this is absolutely right, is that he has not been dancing on Christian Horner's demise," Slater said.
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Getty | Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen had an uneasy relationship before the former Red Bull chief was sacked
The reporter added that Verstappen Sr "is taking it fairly soberly, and respects what Horner did."
Furthermore, Slater acknowledged the clear disagreements between the two men whilst suggesting these tensions likely contributed to Horner's departure, though alongside various other factors.
This dignified response from Verstappen Sr has surprised observers familiar with the pair's fraught history within the Red Bull organisation.
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The relationship between the two men had been notably strained throughout their time at Red Bull. Verstappen Sr has consistently voiced concerns about the team's management structure and decision-making processes.
Reports suggest that some within Red Bull believe Jos may have been responsible for stories connecting Max to a potential Mercedes switch.
Their disagreements have been a recurring theme in the paddock since Max joined the senior team in 2016.
The precise circumstances surrounding Horner's removal remain partially unclear, though several contributing factors have emerged.
Red Bull's disappointing results during the opening half of the 2025 campaign certainly influenced the decision.
Additionally, Horner faced criticism over his management of Red Bull Powertrains' development programme for the 2026 regulations.
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GETTY | Christian Horner and Max Verstappen achieved plenty of success together during their time at Red BullEarly testing revealed concerning performance issues, yet he reportedly resisted bringing in specialists with greater technical expertise.
Internal power dynamics ultimately sealed his fate. Reports have suggested Horner began prioritising personal interests over team objectives, though that is yet to be established.
The decisive blow for the Briton came when he lost backing from Chalerm Yoovidhya, a crucial supporter, following Red Bull's underwhelming display at July's British Grand Prix.