Jos Verstappen, father of three-time world champion Max Verstappen, has reignited his feud with Christian Horner ahead of the team’s home race in Austria, accusing the team principal of trying to block him from driving in a classic F1 car parade.
Present at Red Bull’s home turf in the Styrian mountains, the 52-year-old expressed his anticipation for participating in the pre-race celebrations. However, Verstappen Sr. alleged that Horner actively intervened to prevent his involvement, claiming he sought to ensure no footage of the event was recorded.
“In the past days, I’ve received reports from various sources that Christian Horner did everything possible to stop me from driving and to suppress any filming,” he revealed to De Telegraaf. “If that’s the case, he should say it to my face. This situation disappoints me greatly.”
Responding to Verstappen Sr.’s accusations, a Red Bull spokesperson denied any attempt by Horner to obstruct his participation in the parade.
This latest clash adds to a season marred by tensions between the two parties. Verstappen Sr. previously voiced his discontent with Horner during the leaked WhatsApp messages controversy earlier in the season.
“All these distractions are affecting Max,” he told the Daily Mail before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. “The focus should be on Max, his performance, and the race, not on Horner and his issues. I’ve said before that this situation could cause problems if it continues.”
Max Verstappen reveals plans for next season amid Mercedes interest
Max Verstappen has shattered Mercedes’ ambitions of signing him by declaring his unwavering commitment to Red Bull Racing for the upcoming season. Despite Mercedes’ keen interest in securing him as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who is set to move to Ferrari, Verstappen affirmed his dedication to his current team.
Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff had singled out Verstappen as their primary target, while Ola Kallenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz and co-shareholder, expressed admiration, suggesting Verstappen would look impressive in their silver livery. However, Verstappen, under contract with Red Bull until 2028, left no room for doubt about his future.
“Yes, I will stay,” Verstappen asserted when questioned directly about his plans for next year. “We are already working on next year’s car and focusing intensely on our competitiveness. It’s crucial that we continue to improve as a team to remain competitive.”
Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, who has been critical of Red Bull’s management in the past, echoed his son’s sentiment. “I have a long contract with the team,” Max added, emphasizing his satisfaction with Red Bull’s direction.
Meanwhile, Italian young driver Kimi Antonelli, expected to turn 18 in August, has emerged as a potential candidate to fill Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes if they fail to lure Verstappen away. Despite Verstappen’s dominance this season with seven wins, Red Bull faces increased competition from McLaren and a resurgent Mercedes.
George Russell’s recent pole position in Canada and Hamilton’s return to the podium in Spain highlight Mercedes’ renewed form. Russell emphasized the excitement of a competitive season with multiple teams vying for victory, suggesting a thrilling battle ahead.
Verstappen’s decision to stay put at Red Bull underscores his commitment to the team’s future aspirations, setting the stage for a fiercely contested Formula One season and beyond.
