BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 27: Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen chat in the Pitlane during day two of F1 winter testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 27, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
Christian Horner, 50, was cleared last week by an independent investigation into misconduct allegations made by an employee. The investigation came to light during pre-season, and Horner remains under scrutiny after the circulation of an email, sent by an unidentified sender, allegedly containing evidence presented to the investigation. This email was distributed to the press and prominent figures in the sport.
Former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen expressed concerns about the current situation, telling a British newspaper at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where his son dominated the season-opening race on Saturday: “There is a palpable tension as long as he continues to hold his position. The team is at risk of disintegration. The status quo is unsustainable and will inevitably lead to a catastrophic outcome. Horner is portraying himself as a victim, when in reality, he is the root cause of these problems.”
Immediate contact with Horner was not possible, as Verstappen’s comments were published around 01:00 local time in Bahrain, and a team spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry.
When asked about the email after the race, Horner declined to comment on the motivations behind the sender’s actions, telling reporters: “I will not speculate on the intentions of any individual who chooses to engage in such behavior. I am fortunate to have an unwavering support system, consisting of an exceptional family, an amazing wife, and a remarkable team. My sole focus is on racing, winning, and giving my best.”
Jos Verstappen also denied any involvement in the anonymous email, stating: “That would be illogical. Why would I engage in such actions when Max is performing exceptionally well here?”
Verstappen has won the last three consecutive championships and Saturday’s victory marked his 55th career win, all achieved with Red Bull. (Reported by Alan Baldwin)
