Red Bull respond to bombshell Jos Verstappen comments on Christian Horner - 'No issues here'

Red Bull respond to bombshell Jos Verstappen comments on Christian Horner - 'No issues here'

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Red Bull civil war breaks out amid Christian Horner claims

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 03/03/2024

- 16:44

The future of Max Verstappen remains uncertain amid civil war at the F1 side

Red Bull have responded after Jos Verstappen sensationally called for Christian Horner to leave the F1 side.

Horner continues to face scrutiny despite being recently cleared of misconduct by Red Bull, with the 50-year-old confident of keeping his job as team principal.


There have been claims the Briton's relationship with Jos is 'badly damaged' despite the success Max Verstappen has enjoyed in recent years.

But Jos seemingly confirmed bad blood between the pair on Saturday, shortly after his son won the first race of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Christian Horner Jos Verstappen

Red Bull have responded to the growing tension between Jos Verstappen and Christian Horner

GETTY

"There is tension here while he remains in position," he told the Daily Mail.

"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."

Jos also denied being responsible for alleged leaks of Horner's WhatsApp and text messages to a female member of staff.

And Red Bull have now released a short statement addressing the matter as they look to move on.

"There are no issues here. The team are united and we are focused on racing," a spokesperson said.

Horner was joined by wife Geri Halliwell in Bahrain, with the pair putting on a united front.

His long-term future with Red Bull remains up in the air, however, with the team being scrutinised for refusing to divulge much information about their internal probe into Horner.

Horner continues to deny allegations of wrongdoing and thanked Geri for her support on Saturday.

However, intriguingly, Verstappen's own future with Red Bull is far from clear amid reports suggesting he could leave.

Jos, according to the Daily Telegraph, has told close friends that his son will leave Red Bull if he has to.

The 51-year-old has also reportedly been cosying up to Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, too, with the pair spotted talking out in the Middle East.

Mercedes are looking for a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who will join Ferrari next year.

And despite Verstappen long being committed to Red Bull, it's possible he'll leave the team unless the saga isn't resolved to his father's liking.

Horner, meanwhile, has vowed to focus on racing and his family despite continuing to be in the spotlight.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Christian Horner Geri Halliwell

Christian Horner was supported by wife Geri Halliwell at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday

GETTY

“I'm not going to comment on what motive whatever person may have for doing this," he said.

“My focus is on this team, my family, my wife, and going racing. I have the support of an incredible family, with an incredible wife and an incredible team. And everybody within that team.

"My focus is on going racing and winning races and doing the best that I can.”

He added: “Obviously, it's not been pleasant, some of the unwanted attention, but the focus is now very much on the cars.

“My focus has very much been on what's going on on track. And the result [of the Bahrain GP] I think demonstrates where the whole team's focus is. And we move onwards.

Max Verstappen Jos Verstappen

Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull amid his father's war with Christian Horner

GETTY

“I've had tremendous support from within the team and within the company.

“It was a day about going racing, about the start of the season, and about starting the season in the best possible way.

“The drivers did brilliantly. The team did brilliantly. And it was the best possible start for the team, for our partners, for our shareholders and everybody within the group.”

You may like