Max Verstappen insists dad Jos ‘not a liar’ and defends him over Horner scandal

Max Verstappen has defended his father Jos following his explosive feedback about Red Red Racing staff principal Christian Horner

Horner has confronted intense scrutiny in latest weeks following allegations made towards him by a feminine colleague. Horner has all the time denied the claims and was cleared following an inside investigation into alleged “inappropriate behaviour”.

The probe concluded on the eve of the brand new season. A day later a whole lot of WhatsApp messages, showing to be exchanged between Horner and the complainant, had been then leaked to the F1 world.

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Then, following final weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, ex-F1 driver Jos, 51, successfully referred to as for Horner to depart in interviews with each British and Dutch newspapers.

Jos mentioned: “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.”

Speaking forward of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen was requested if his father regretted his remarks, which not solely solid additional doubt over Horner’s future, however of his son.

“I’ve not requested him that however my dad, from how I do know him in go-karting, may be very outspoken and he’s not a liar, that’s for certain,” he said. “My dad and I are very close. We call every day.”

Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen met with Horner earlier this week in an attempt to clear the air at the crisis-hit team. Neither Max, nor Jos, were present.

Verstappen added: “I don’t see myself in F1 without them (his father and manager) by my side.”

Asked if he can keep at Red Bull with Horner nonetheless in his function, Verstappen replied: “Well, we are at the moment. I saw a lot of stories about that, which was a bit weird to read.

“But from my side, what I want and it doesn’t matter who is involved in the team or not, it’s to have a quiet environment where everyone is happy to work.”

Verstappen has been linked with Mercedes, the place there’s a emptiness for 2025 after Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell choice to signal for Ferrari. While the Dutchman is contracted to the Milton Keynes-based staff till 2028, there’s hypothesis over a possible ‘break clause’ in his deal ought to sure members of the Red Bull hierarchy depart.

Verstappen didn’t dismiss the prospect of becoming a member of Mercedes. He mentioned: “Nobody would have seen that Lewis would move to Ferrari. You never know in general life what happens, or comes to you, or happens around you or what might influence you, so you can never say 100 per cent that that is how it is going to be and that is the way I approach my life.

“But I am very relaxed and very happy at the team and the performance is there, so there is no reason to leave.”

Verstappen Snr, who just isn’t an worker of Red Bull Racing, has been accused in some quarters of making an attempt to oust Horner from his job. But he mentioned: “That wouldn’t make sense. Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here?”