During the Austrian GP weekend, there were reports that Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, prevented Jos Verstappen from participating in a parade organized by the Austrian division of Red Bull. Despite Horner denying these reports, Verstappen Sr decided to withdraw from the parade. In an interview with the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Verstappen expressed his disappointment, stating that he had heard from various sources that Horner did everything in his power to ensure that he did not drive in the parade and that no filming was done. Verstappen Sr expressed his frustration, saying that he would prefer Horner to address the issue directly with him. This incident occurred at a time when the situation at Red Bull Racing had calmed down somewhat after Horner’s previous scandal.
Max Verstappen, the Formula 1 driver, reflected on the situation, acknowledging that it was unpleasant for himself, his father, Christian Horner, and the entire team. He expressed his desire to avoid such incidents, understanding his father’s perspective on the matter. Verstappen explained that his father was invited to drive in the parade for Dutch fans but ended up discovering that he was not welcome. Despite his father’s indifference, Verstappen emphasized the importance of maintaining a good relationship with everyone involved. He concluded by stating that this whole scenario could have been avoided.
Dr. Helmut Marko, consultant for Red Bull Racing’s drivers and a known ally of the Verstappens, was questioned about the issue during an interview with Sky DE in Spielberg. Marko chose to focus on the sporting side of things, stating that they have enough problems in that area to solve. He considered the matter between Jos Verstappen and Christian Horner as something private and believed it should not overshadow more important aspects, such as the competition against McLaren. Marko emphasized the need to fully concentrate on the sport, as they have a strong opponent in McLaren and need to maintain their lead in the championship.
