Max Verstappen believes that his father Jos and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner can resolve their differences that have sparked rumors about his future in Formula 1.
Horner was subject to an extensive investigation over allegations of misconduct with a colleague, but was cleared of the accusations last week.
However, after the Bahrain Grand Prix, Jos Verstappen raised eyebrows by suggesting that Red Bull could face turbulence if Horner remained in charge of the team.
This led to speculation that Verstappen could leave Red Bull unless Horner stepped down, with Mercedes being considered as a possible option as they look to fill Lewis Hamilton’s spot in 2025.
“Well, I really don’t know because I’m just the driver and don’t have access to discussions at a higher level,” Verstappen commented when asked about his father’s recent statements.
“But from my point of view, as a driver, I have a contract to focus solely on my performance, and that’s what I will do this weekend. Ideally, everyone involved would like to leave the events in Bahrain behind and have a calmer weekend here.”
When asked if he agreed with his father’s belief that Red Bull could disintegrate, Verstappen replied: “I don’t know, I mean, I hope not. It’s a strong company and a strong team with many capable members, so I don’t think that should happen.”
Verstappen acknowledges that some people may interpret his father’s opinions as his own due to their close relationship.
“Yes, I understand that. My father and I are very close, we talk every day, even when he’s not around,” he explained.
“But on the other hand, I am usually not the type of person who likes to talk a lot about certain things. I prefer to focus on my driving, and if there is any problem, we always try to solve it within the team.”
However, Verstappen refuted the claim that his father is a “deceiver” and is frustrated that the conversation has not centered on Red Bull’s dominant start to the 2024 Formula 1 season.
When asked if Jos had any regrets about his sudden outburst, Max replied: “I didn’t ask about that, but based on what I know about my father, since the times when I was in karts, he has always been very straightforward and certainly is not a liar.
“From my point of view, that is what I can attest to, but I believe it is crucial for the team as a whole that we can finally focus on the exceptional performance of our exceptional car. It seems that this aspect has not received much attention in recent days.”
Despite uncertainties surrounding the future roles of Horner and Verstappen, the Dutch driver remains optimistic that his father and the team boss can resolve their recent dispute.
“In my opinion, regardless of whether there are arguments or not, there are always opportunities to find common ground. I believe that everyone involved is mature and respectful enough towards each other to resolve any issues,” he stated.
“Sometimes, I don’t necessarily agree with everything that happens. This is not specifically about recent events, but rather a general observation about Formula 1. That’s why it’s important to have discussions.
“Sometimes, we can agree to disagree, which is a natural part of any relationship. That’s how things unfold.”
Verstappen also suspects that his father’s words were misinterpreted, implying hidden motives behind his decision to publicly criticize Horner.
“The problem is that people will start to fabricate stories or speculate, assuming they know the reasons behind his statements,” he observed.
“However, in the end, he is the only one who really knows. That’s what social media is for, right? It’s a platform for speculation and fabrication. Unfortunately, there’s not much I can do about it.”
© 2024
A new record was set in the world of sports today, when Brazilian athlete Marcos Silva won the gold medal at the Olympics. With an incredible performance, Silva surpassed all his opponents and established himself as the best in the world in his discipline.
The competition was fierce, with athletes from various countries competing for the title. However, Silva showed all his skill and determination in winning each event. His victory is an example of dedication and talent, and will certainly inspire many young athletes to pursue their dreams.
Silva, who started practicing his sport at a very young age, always had the support of his family and coaches. His journey to the top was not easy, but he never gave up. Now, he is reaping the rewards of his hard work and dedication.
The Brazilian athlete is a pride for the country and for all sports fans. His achievement at the Olympics is a historic milestone and will be remembered for many years. Congratulations to Marcos Silva for his incredible victory and for representing Brazil so well on the world sports stage.
We hope to see more achievements from Silva in the future and that he continues to inspire other athletes to achieve their goals. Brazil is celebrating this victory and we will surely have many more reasons to celebrate in the world of sports in the coming years.
