Max Verstappen is rumored to be reconsidering his future with Red Bull Racing amid a growing controversy involving team principal Christian Horner.
This situation comes after Horner was cleared by Red Bull GmbH, the team’s parent company, following an investigation into allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” with a female colleague.
However, the controversy deepened with the leak of hundreds of WhatsApp messages allegedly between Horner and the colleague to the F1 community.
Despite these challenges, Horner has affirmed his intention to remain as team boss.
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This stance has led to increased tension within the team, highlighted by remarks from Verstappen’s father, Jos, a former F1 driver himself.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jos criticized Horner’s continued leadership, stating, “There is tension here while he [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.”
Jos Verstappen echoed these sentiments in comments to De Telegraaf and amid reports of a confrontation between himself and Horner during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
Despite Jos Verstappen’s denial of involvement in the leak of messages to F1 personnel, speculation about Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull has intensified.
Max’s contract with Red Bull extends to 2028, yet rumors suggest he might leave, especially with a spot opening at Mercedes in 2025 following Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari.
Conversations between Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and Jos Verstappen have been noted, with the Telegraph reporting Jos’s willingness to move his son from Red Bull if necessary.
Wolff praised Max Verstappen’s performance, stating after a race, “Max is in a different league, a different galaxy.
“We just have to acknowledge his performance levels.
“The performance was extraordinary.”
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In response to the unfolding drama, Red Bull Racing released a statement emphasizing unity within the team: “There are no issues here.
“The team are united and we are focused on racing.”
This statement underlines the team’s attempt to present a united front amidst the ongoing controversies.