A fresh wave of tension has erupted within Red Bull Racing, further fracturing the already fragile relationship between Team Principal Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen, father of championship contender Max Verstappen.
This time, the conflict disrupts a seemingly innocuous event the annual Legends Parade at the Austrian Grand Prix. Jos Verstappen, a retired F1 driver himself, was slated to take a nostalgic lap alongside racing legends like Gerhard Berger and David Coulthard in a 2012 Red Bull car.
However, Verstappen Sr. threw a wrench into the plans by abruptly withdrawing. He accused Horner of pulling strings behind the scenes to block his participation.
The exact reason for Horner’s alleged maneuvering remains unclear, but Verstappen’s withdrawal throws gasoline on the already volatile dynamic between the two men.
This latest clash adds another layer of complexity to Red Bull’s championship fight, with questions swirling about the potential impact on team morale and driver focus.
Tension flared within the Red Bull camp after Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, publicly criticized Team Principal Christian Horner. Jos Verstappen accused Horner of childish behavior regarding his participation in a promotional event.
This accusation fueled speculation of a deeper conflict between the two men, following similar comments from Max Verstappen himself earlier in the season.
Verstappen Sr.’s remarks suggested a potential breakdown in communication or personal animosity between him and Horner. The situation raised concerns about how this internal strife might impact Red Bull’s performance.