Max Verstappen is not happy with the situation that has arisen at Red Bull Racing.
Jos Verstappen and Christian Horner disagreed and came to an intense war of words yesterday and, according to Max, it could have been avoided.
“Well, of course it’s not nice. I don’t think it’s good for me, or for my father, or for Christian, or for the team. Of course, you don’t want these things to happen. My father was very clear about the reason behind all this. And of course, I can understand his opinion on that,” Verstappen said at the press conference after the Sprint.
Max refers to the fact that his boss blocked his father from rolling during the Legends Parade (with a former Red Bull). At worst, Horner didn’t want Jos Verstappen to be filmed and appear on the giant screens!
Max Verstappen adds about this dispute: “He’s asked to drive the car and he finds out he wasn’t asked to drive the car.”
“Actually, my dad doesn’t care about driving the car, but he was asked and told: ‘Please do it for the fans, the Dutch fans, blah, blah, blah. Red Bull will be happy, we have an excellent relationship with our circuit’ etc.”
“So I understand his anger. On the other hand, I’m here, of course, to focus on the performance side of things.”
“But I want to have good relationships with everyone. This scenario could have been avoided.”
Sources confirmed that Red Bull would block the release of photos and videos of the demonstration, but not the demonstration itself, leading Jos Verstappen to choose to withdraw from the Parade.
Max Verstappen clearly chooses to support his father in this story.
For his part, Jos Verstappen reaffirmed today at the Red Bull Ring that the Mercedes F1 track was “well considered” for Max. Dr Helmut Marko, who supports the Verstappen clan but not Horner, did not deny these new behind-the-scenes maneuvers.
Also threats of sabotage!
Jos Verstappen also claimed today that Horner had given him a warning if he took part in the Parade.
“From what I heard, he did everything he could to stop me. And I would just have to be careful if this F1 car brakes well. I think it’s pretty serious to say things Thus.”
The feud between Verstappen and Horner began earlier this year when the Red Bull boss was investigated for alleged inappropriate behaviour. He was later cleared.
Verstappen is unsure how Horner can create a positive atmosphere within the Red Bull team.
“For someone who leads the team and wants to create peace within the team, I find it very punitive. How do I deal with it when you hear threats of sabotage? It doesn’t bring him anything positive.”
Max’s father pointed out that “My son is not involved in this matter.”
“He was sitting there when I was told all this and he shook his head.”
“It’s a bit sad, but on the other hand, we’ll forget about it, move on and it’ll be about what’s best for Max. I hope they build a car for him that will win for a long time.”
“So Max will be fine and I will do everything to keep him healthy and well. But as soon as that’s not the case anymore, I will know what will happen.”
