The disturbing phrase from Max Verstappen’s father for the internship at Red Bull and the rumors about his move to Mercedes: “He’s about to explode”

A more than authoritative voice and a disturbing message for Formula 1 fans. Jos Verstappenfather of the current three-time champion Max Verstappenstated that the Red Bull team will do so “blow” if the team leader Christian Hornerrecently acquitted of charges of “inappropriate behavior” towards an employee, he remains in his position.

“There is tension as long as he remains in office”the former Dutch F1 driver declared to the sports supplement of the British newspaper Daily Mail, a few hours after his son’s victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first race of the season.

“The team risks falling apart. It can’t continue like this. It will explode,” Jos Verstappen said.

“He plays the victim when he is the root of the problems,” he concluded speaking of the historic Red Bull boss.

The Austrian company announced on Wednesday that its internal investigation led it to acquit the British Christian Horner of the reported facts.

Although several teams highlighted the lack of transparency during the internal investigation, Horner assured Thursday that the unity in his team has “never been stronger”.

But the sending shortly afterwards of an anonymous email, containing in particular WhatsApp messages presumably written by Horner, to journalists specializing in F1, to motor sport managers or even to competing teams, relaunched the case.

He began it at the beginning of February, in a first article published in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

When questioned by the Daily Mail about the origin of the information leaked to the media, Jos Verstappen denied any implications in this regard.

“It doesn’t make sense, why would I do something like that when Max is so comfortable here?”he defended himself.

Christian Horner, married to the former Spice Girl Geri Halliwellpresent at his side on Saturday at the Shakir circuit, he always denied the facts and was convinced after the GP that his position was not at risk.

“A long and thorough internal process was carried out (by a lawyer external to Red Bull) and the alleged accusation was dismissed. End of story”he assured the press.

This Sunday morning, in this context, it emerged that Toto Wolff, executive director of Mercedes, had a meeting with Jos Verstappen in the Bahrain paddock. When asked about the possibility of “Mad Max” joining Mercedes in 2025, he responded: “Everything is possible”.

The next event in a category devoid of intrigue will be next weekend on the very fast street circuit of Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia. Like this week, the race will take place on Saturday because Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hegira calendar, in which Muslims fast, begins on Sunday.

The step by step of the Horner case

The internal process, conducted by a specialist lawyer, included an interview with Horner on February 9, in which he categorically denied all allegations. Horner was accused of alleged abuse of power against an employee, but in the end the explanations of the specialist who conducted the trial convinced the management of the energy drink brand.

“The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner has been completed and Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been rejected,” the F1 team’s statement explains. It adds: “The complainant has the right to appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation was fair, rigorous and impartial. The investigation report is confidential and contains private information of the parties and cooperating third parties to the investigation, for “We will not comment further out of respect for all involved. Red Bull will continue to strive to adhere to the highest standards in the workplace.”

Horner, along with Helmut Marko, one of the consultants for the Red Bull Racing team, were on a flight to Bahrain when the company released the acquittal statement. Horner’s image has been in the eye of the storm in recent weeks due to constant speculation about him. Although the internal investigation declared him not guilty, the plaintiff can turn to ordinary justice because the Red Bull trial (the contents of which will be kept secret) has no judicial value.

The idea was for the case to remain private so that Red Bull could be addressed and resolved privately, without altering the team’s planning at the start of the season, but it became public after it was leaked in a newspaper article by Dutch newspaper The Telegraaf .

Max Verstappen’s posture, different from that of his father

Max Verstappen had to talk about the case involving his Team Leader. It was media day for Formula 1 before the Bahrain Grand Prix.

“It doesn’t affect me. I’m very focused on the performance of the car and my performance,” said the three-time champion. “It’s not my case and I don’t want to get involved in it. As a team we believe in the process and we have to be aware. There’s no need to shout from the rooftops, we have to be patient,” said the three-time world champion.

“I hope this is resolved quickly. The philosophy is that we have to work together to succeed and we hope to achieve this quickly. I have faith in the process. And apart from that, when it comes to performing, it is very important that we are all together “, he added to close his point of view on the accusations suffered by the 50-year-old Briton.