Christian Horner is certain the rift between him and Max Verstappen’s father Jos will not lead Red Bull’s star driver to leave the team.
Jos Verstappen told multiple newspapers last week Red Bull would “explode” if Horner remained in charge following the resolution of a month-long investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour by the team principal. Although Horner was cleared, material purportedly considered in the investigation was subsequently leaked.
Horner said he had discussed Verstappen’s comments with him but would not elaborate. “I spoke to Jos following the grand prix and obviously congratulated him on his son’s performance.
“I think it’s in everybody’s interests, collectively, that we’ve agreed to move on, to focus on the future. We both have a vested interest in his son to get the best and provide the best cars for him and to get the best out of him and he’s started the season in the best possible way.”
Despite the tension between Verstappen’s family and team leader, Horner said he has no doubt the reigning world champion will remain with them for the rest of his contract.
“I’m certain that he will,” he said. “He’s got a great team around him, he’s got great faith in that team and we’ve achieved an awful lot together.
“He’s committed to an agreement until 2028 and from the team’s side, from Max’s side, we’re determined to build on the success that we’ve achieved already.
“His 55 victories have all come in Red Bull cars, all of the podiums have come in Red Bull Racing cars and we’re determined to build on that and add hopefully many more in the future.”
“Obviously Max’s father has played a key role in his in his career and getting him to Formula 1,” he added. “But obviously Jos is his own man, Max is his own man as well and we’ve seen him go from being a teenager when he joined us to now very much a young man that’s achieved what he has.
“It’s not for me to comment on relationships between between fathers and drivers, they’re all unique between the different individuals.”
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