New friction between Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen
The Austrian weekend was the scene of yet another disagreement between Max Verstappen's father and the Red Bul team principal. They have been talking back and forth in the media. The tension stems from a historic drive in which Jos Verstappen should have taken part on Sunday before the Grand Prix.
Jos Verstappen was originally scheduled to accompany some F1 legends such as David Coulthard or Emerson Fittipaldi at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday, as a prelude to the Austrian Grand Prix. It was planned for him to drive the RB8, the Formula 1 car with which Sebastian Vettel was crowned world champion in 2012. The event, organized by the circuit, was named “The Legends’ Parade.”
Jos Verstappen: “I’m done with Horner”
Only Max Verstappen’s father decided to withdraw himself a few days ago. Why? Because of Christian Horner according to him. This is what he stated in the pages of the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: « these last days, I heard from several people that Christian Horner did everything he could to prevent me from driving. And also to make sure that nothing was filmed ».” Disappointed by the behavior of Red Bull team’s director, Jos Verstappen decided, on his own, not to participate in the event.
Following this, new statements were reported by the website www.formule1.nl, a reliable source regarding news about Max Verstappen. His father didn’t mince his words: « I’m done with Horner » he declared. He considers Christian Horner’s behavior childish: « It’s like in kindergarten. »
Christian Horner: “It’s with Max that we have a contract.”
On his side, Christian Horner was questioned about this during a press conference on Friday, just after the free practice sessions: “Listen, I have been informed that… The Parade of Legends is organized by the circuit. There has been no veto from me or anything of the sort. And I am sure that the Legends will be in action later.”
Difficult, if not impossible, to know who is telling the truth.
Inevitably, the questions to the Red Bull team director shifted to the relationship he has with Jos … and Max Verstappen: « The relationship with Max has always been very good, very strong. He is a key element of our team. He is our driver. It is obviously important to have a strong relationship with him. I have never had any problems with any of the fathers of our drivers in the past.
Pushed one last time on the subject, he then closed the debate: “I don’t think it’s really useful to keep talking about Jos’s issue. We are focusing on Max. He is our driver. He is the one we have a contract with. And it is with him that we are working to try to win this Grand Prix.”
