Jos Verstappen shows understanding towards the accuser, stating: “I feel for the woman, considering everything she has gone through, but let’s wait and see what happens.”
Jos Verstappen once again expressed harsh criticism towards Christian Horner, head of Red Bull Racing, amid an ongoing controversy.
This response comes after Horner was cleared of misconduct allegations made by a Red Bull employee, a decision that did not resolve the ongoing drama.
The controversy surrounding Horner was reignited by a series of messages shared on WhatsApp among various people in the Formula 1 community and media.
Despite being cleared, the accusations continue to cause problems within the team, prompting comments from Jos Verstappen, father of Max Verstappen, who has previously suggested that Horner should step aside due to the negative impact this situation is having on the team.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Jos Verstappen expressed empathy for the accuser, saying: “I understand the woman’s perspective and everything she has gone through, but let’s wait and see how things unfold.”
He highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the Red Bull employee involved, whose identity remains confidential, and shared his concerns about how the scandal is affecting his son, Max.
Jos emphasized how the controversy has overshadowed the team’s and Max’s performance on the track, particularly pointing out an occasion when the focus shifted from Max’s achievements to Horner’s personal issues during a press conference.
“He finished third in the first practice session, and all we hear about is Horner and what happened to him,” Jos stated, highlighting how this distraction takes away from the race itself.
Before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Horner asked for the issue to be resolved, a sentiment that Jos Verstappen views with skepticism, doubting the possibility of overcoming the controversy at this time.
Although recognizing that Horner is unlikely to resign, Jos’s main concern remains the happiness and performance of his son, while Red Bull tries to navigate through their off-track difficulties without affecting their competitiveness.
As the team prepares for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, the focus is on overcoming these challenges to maintain their status as a three-time champion, with Max Verstappen seeking to set a good example for the race.