F1 Rumour: Jos Verstappen To Skip Saudi Arabian GP After Comments Against Horner
Jos Verstappen, the father of Max Verstappen, has opted not to attend the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah this weekend, as per a report by ESPN. This choice follows controversial remarks he made about Red Bull team principal Christian Horner in connection to the recent investigation into alleged misconduct involving a female co-worker.
Key Takeaways:
- Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen's father, will not attend the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to controversial comments about Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
- Despite an investigation clearing Horner, leaked emails with potentially relevant information have kept the situation in the spotlight.
- Ongoing tensions, arguments, and reports of a meeting with Mercedes' Toto Wolff suggest strain within Red Bull, making Jos's absence and remarks key topics in F1 discussions.
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Even though the independent investigation cleared the Red Bull team principal of any wrongdoing, the situation gained more attention following the leak of an email to key personnel in the FIA, FOM, Jos, and the other team principal on the F1 grid, with attachments that could be pertinent to the case.
While Horner has consistently denied any wrongdoing during the investigation, several team principals and experts have called for transparency in the matter, emphasizing the need to reveal case details for better understanding.
Numerous Formula 1 experts, including Sky pundit Martin Brundle, believe that the ongoing matter is likely to persist and not conclude soon. Following Max's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, here are the comments made by his father to the Daily Mail about Horner:
"There is tension here while [Horner] remains in position. The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can't go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems."
In addition, Jos and Horner were sighted arguing the day before the Bahrain Grand Prix. Though he later apologized to the team boss, the build-up of friction between the two is evident.
Jos is said to have informed those in his inner circle that his son would depart from Red Bull should Horner remain. Additionally, reports are indicating that he had a dinner meeting with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff before the race.
Max's father has traditionally been a constant presence in the F1 paddock throughout his son's career but, amidst escalating tensions at Red Bull and a shifting narrative, he has decided not to attend the upcoming race in Jeddah. Despite his absence, discussions about him are likely to dominate the lead-up to the second race of the F1 season.
His remarks about Horner stirred controversy, with a report in The Telegraph proposing that the reigning world champion may face a dilemma between supporting his father and Horner. Insiders familiar with the situation suggest that this sentiment has been growing within the team over an extended period.