Max Verstappen’s position regarding Christian Horner’s conflict with his father Jos seems impossibe to clarify
Max Verstappen stance on Christian Horner’s feud with father Jos made clear
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-McLaren F1 racer Mark Blundell spoke on Max Verstappen’s stance amid continuing tensions between dad Jos and Red Bull’s Christian Horner.
Max Verstappen was again asked to comment on tensions between his dad Jos and Christian Horner (Image: Getty)
Max Verstappen’s relaxed stance over his father’s ongoing feud with his boss, Christian Horner, has been outlined by a former F1 star. The bad blood between Jos Verstappen and Horner resurfaced ahead of last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Jos had been set to drive the Red Bull which carried Sebastian Vettel to the F1 title in 2012 ahead of the team’s home race in Austria. But the 52-year-old withdrew from the Legends Parade after he claimed that Horner did not want him to take part.
Horner denied he vetoed Jos’ participation, although it is understood the team principal, 50, questioned internally why he was representing Red Bull. Jos made only his second appearance in the paddock since he said at the season-opening round in Bahrain that Red Bull would “explode” if Horner remained in his post.
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That followed the investigation into Horner after a female staff member had accused him of inappropriate behaviour. An internal Red Bull investigation cleared Horner – who denied the allegations against him – of any wrongdoing.
The latest spat between the pair was another unwanted sideshow for Red Bull and again raised doubts over Max’s long-term future with the team. While the Dutchman is contracted to the Milton Keynes-based squad until 2028, it is widely believed there are get-out clauses.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has made no secret of his desire to get the world champion in one of his Silver Arrows, ideally for next season following Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari for 2025. However, former McLaren F1 racer Mark Blundell, who raced against Jos in the mid-1990s, insists Max will only be concerned about being in the most competitive car, even if that means continuing friction between his dad and Horner.
“I don’t think Max Verstappen is going to be left too concerned with what is said off-track,” the former McLaren and Tyrell driver told Express Sport on behalf of Grosvenor Sport.
The rift between Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen surfaced again at the Austrian Grand Prix (Image: Getty)
“His concern is what’s underneath him as a racing car and whether it’s got the performance to go and win another world championship. I’m kind of bored of all that stuff, it isn’t relevant to Grand Prix racing.”
Asked about the latest rift between Jos and Horner, Max himself said: “It is not nice, not for myself, not for my dad, not for Christian, and not for the team. You don’t want these things to happen. My dad has been quite clear about the reasons behind it and I can understand his opinion.
“He gets asked to drive the car and finds out he is not wanted. My dad doesn’t care about driving it, but he got asked if he could do it for the Dutch fans at Red Bull’s home track.
“So, I understand it, but I am here to focus on the performance. I want a good relationship with everyone. But this scenario could have been avoided.”
Meanwhile, Blundell has given his verdict on the clash between Max and Lando Norris as they battled for the lead in Sunday’s Grand Prix. The former was found at fault and punished with a 10-second time penalty.
However, he still managed to finish fifth while Norris’s McLaren suffered race-ending damage. While Max has been widely condemned for the incident, Blundell had no issues.
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“I’m a bit old-school and I’m all for gladiatorial battles on the circuit, that’s what we all want to watch,” said the veteran of 61 Grand Prix starts. “And that’s what drivers want to be involved in. Am I surprised? No. If anyone thinks Verstappen is going to back out and give up a position lightly, that isn’t going to be the case.
“Is he a tough racer? Yes. Do I admire Lando going toe to toe with him? Yes as well. The next time it happens, there might be a different outcome. But you’re always going to get that when people go up against each other at that level. It’s a war of the mind as much as the steering wheel.”
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