“As long as Horner stays there there will always be tension in the theme. The team risks being split: honestly we can't continue like this. It will explode. He's playing the victim role, but to be honest he is the one causing problems". These are the clear and precise words of Joseph Verstappen, in an interview with the Daily Mail, regarding Christian Horner. The Red Bull team principal has been accused of 'inappropriate behaviour' towards an employee of the Milton Keynes team. Although Horner was deemed innocent, Verstappen's father continues to express his great dissent towards the Briton.
Jos Verstappen against Horner: his interview with the Daily Mail
Even though Horner was found innocent on Wednesday, before the start of the Bahrain weekend, the Horner gate can be defined as anything but closed. Fueling new doubts is the Drive file - coming from an anonymous person - sent to journalists accredited in Bahrain and to all professionals (from team principals to Stefano Domenicali). We are talking about a file containing several screens relating to the alleged chat conversations of Horner and the employee. A message that makes it clear how much the figure of the British is not entirely welcome in Red Bull. Jos Verstappen's words to the Daily Mail, in this respect, seem to be a confirmation even if Max's father himself admitted that, behind the issue of the file, he is absolutely not involved. “I don't understand why I would ever do something like that, especially when I think of Max who feels so comfortable in this team. I'll just say this: I won't comment on the reasons someone would have for doing something like that".
Situation all in progress
The situation, therefore, at Red Bull seems to be far from over. Doubts about Horner's figure are increasing, as are those about Max Verstappen's future. The meeting between Jos and Horner himself at the end of Bahrain GP fueled rumors about dad Max's desire not to be in line with the Red Bull team principal. The case is not yet closed and, in the meantime, this week we get back on track with the Jeddah GP. New occasion in which there will be no shortage of opportunities (unfortunately) to go back to what happened instead of thinking exclusively about the track.
