Christian Horner has refuted reports that he plotted to sideline Jos Verstappen from participating in Legends Parade at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has denied reports that he planned the veto of Max Verstappen’s father Jos participation in Austrian Grand Prix Legends Parade, as the conflict between the two sparked more tensions at Milton Keynes.
Jos Verstappen was slated to drive the 2012 Red Bull RB8 in the Austrian GP Legends parade this weekend. However, he decided to withdraw from the event, claiming Horner orchestrated a plan to deny him the drive.
Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Verstappen said: “Over the past few days, I have heard from several people that Christian Horner did everything he could to make sure I didn’t drive.
“And to otherwise make sure nothing would be filmed. Then I think: say it to my face. This way I don’t want to do it anymore, I find it very disappointing.”
He also added to the website of Dutch magazine Formula 1: “I am completely done with him. It looks like a kindergarten. I could have driven, but I pulled out.
“I find this so childish of Horner. It says something about him, I think.”
However, Horner strongly refuted claims that he blocked Verstappen from taking part in the legends parade insisting that there had been no refusal from his side of the ex-F1 driver being involved in the run.
“Look, I’ve been made aware, the Legends Parade is something that is organised by the circuit,” he said.
“There was no veto from my side or anything like that. And I’m sure the legends will be in action later.”
This isn’t the first time Verstappen has taken issue with Horner in 2024. Earlier in the season, he warned that the Team Principal’s continued leadership at Red Bull may “tear apart” the team as an internal investigation dismissed the allegations of misconduct.
Verstappen’s criticisms of Horner have triggered fresh talk of tensions within the Red Bull camp between the two. The Brit refrained from further escalating the situation after he was questioned on his current relationship with Jos.
“I’ve never had an issue with any of our drivers’ fathers in the past, and whatever Jos’ issues are, I’ve really got nothing to comment on,” he said.
One may argue that the escalating tensions between the two will be detrimental to Red Bull’s relationship with its star driver, but the team principal claims the bond is strong as he went on to suggest that he ultimately did not care much for how things played out with Verstappen Sr.
“My interest is in the performance of the team,” he said. “We have a wonderful team and we [have] got great drivers.
“The relationship with Max has always been very good, very strong. He’s a key part of our team. He’s our driver, he’s the one that is important obviously to have a strong relationship with.
“He came to our team as a young man, and he’s grown and grown in stature. He’s grown as a driver and as a human being. And I think the way he conducts himself, the way he works with the team is outstanding. And that is my key interest.
“I’ve never had an issue with any of our drivers’ fathers in the past. Whatever Jos’s issues are, I’ve really got nothing to comment on.
“It’s about the performance of the team. It’s about how the team works. And of course, we’ve enjoyed tremendous success. Despite the distractions of this year, we’ve still won 70% of the races, including two sprint races and seven poles.
“We lead both world championships. So yeah, you can’t control everything in life. I can’t control relationships with drivers’ fathers.”
