Jos Verstappen, who was seen talking with Ferrari’s Toto Wolff, has openly condemned Horner’s leadership and predicted chaos within Red Bull Racing if Horner remains in his position.
During the Bahrain Grand Prix, there was a tense exchange between Christian Horner, the head of Red Bull Racing, and Jos Verstappen, the father of three-time world champion Max Verstappen, which was captured on TV.
This incident occurred amidst a flurry of online speculation about the nature of their disagreement, particularly after a report by Mail Sport highlighted a significant argument between them after the qualifying round on Friday.
Jos Verstappen, who was observed talking with Ferrari’s Toto Wolff, has openly criticized Horner’s leadership and foreseen turmoil within Red Bull Racing if Horner continues in his role.
This criticism follows the leak of controversial messages and images sent by Horner to a female employee. Jos accused Horner of presenting himself as a victim in the midst of these allegations.
The details of their conversation, which took place inside a team trailer, remain undisclosed, although Horner’s visibly upset demeanor, including gestures and animated expressions, was evident.
On the other hand, Jos maintained a more reserved posture with his hands in his pockets.
This exchange has sparked widespread speculation about its implications, including suggestions that Max Verstappen might consider moving to Ferrari, potentially partnering with Lewis Hamilton, or exploring a position at Mercedes in anticipation of Hamilton’s departure in 2024.
Another theory suggests that Jos Verstappen was advocating for the implicated female employee or advising Horner to resign, while Horner resisted such suggestions.
Max Verstappen has notably refrained from explicitly supporting Horner during recent press engagements, hinting at his alignment with his father’s criticisms.
Despite the controversy, Horner was cleared of allegations of coercive behavior towards the woman in question last Wednesday.
In a remarkable show of solidarity, Horner’s wife, Geri Halliwell, joined him in Bahrain, publicly showing her support with a noticeable kiss amid the ongoing scrutiny.