MAX Verstappen’s father has denied being behind Christian Horner’s sex post after an explosive row in the paddock at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Jos Verstappen, 51, also made bombastic comments just as Horner and wife Geri Halliwell put up a strong and united front on Saturday.
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Jos Verstappen (right) pictured with his son Max as they arrive at the Bahrain Grand Prix on SaturdayCredit: Getty
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World champion Max brought home Red Bull’s first GP in a brilliant start to the 2024 F1 season Credit: Getty
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Red Bull boss Christian Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell have united as the couple were rocked by Horner’s sex leakCredit: Getty
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Horner hugs his wife Geri as he talks to key Red Bull shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya Credit: Splash
Jos, a former team-mate of Michael Schumacher, reportedly had a heated argument in Horner’s paddock office after Friday night’s qualifying race.
He was said to have left the office before returning to shake hands with the Red Bull director, the Mail reported.
When asked if he was involved behind Horner’s sext leak, Jos flatly denied the claims, saying: “That wouldn’t make sense.
“Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here?”
Read more at Christian Horner
Verstappen Snr previously said Red Bull Racing would “explode” if Horner remained team boss.
He said: “There is tension here while he remains in the position.
“The team is in danger of falling apart. It cannot continue as it is.
“It will explode.
“He plays the victim when he’s causing trouble.”
Christian Horner issues defiant seven-word statement amid sex leak storm after Bahrain Grand Prix win
And now Max Verstappen could be forced to convert to Mercedes after his father’s explosive row with Christian Horner.
It threatens to tear Red Bull apart as Max has to choose between his father or his team boss.
And paddock sources believe Jos Verstappen’s friendship with Mercedes boss Tot Wolff could see the F1 star jump ship to take the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton’s return to Ferrari.
Wolff also stoked fire over the Horner scandal, calling for more transparency as F1 needs to “correct its compass”.
Wolff questioned Red Bull Racing’s handling of the investigation and the sexting scandal and called on the FIA to act, the Mail reported.
These include FIA president Mohammad ben Sulayem and F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, who were both among the 149 recipients of Horner’s sex messages.
Speaking after Saturday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Toto said: “Let’s see where it goes in the next few days.
“I really hope that the governing body and the holder of the commercial rights will set the compass correctly.
“But the moment I go on asking how it was solved, I’m probably not doing the whole problem any good, because then it could be perceived as just a power struggle within F1.
“That’s why it shouldn’t be in the team [Red Bull’s] hands.
The Mercedes boss added: “It’s a much bigger issue than that and I don’t want to downplay the whole situation by making it seem like the Mercedes guy is talking about the Red Bull guys.”
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Jos Verstappen, Michael Schumacher’s former team-mate, said Red Bull Racing would ‘explode’ if Horner remained team bossCredit: Getty
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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is calling on the FIA to take matters into their own hands Credit: Getty
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Horner and his colleague Dr. Helmut Marko at the Grand Prix Credit: Getty
The Christian Horner scandal comes amid lingering tensions at Red Bull Racing.
Rumors of an unrelated power struggle within the team’s leadership have swirled since the 2022 death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz.
After the billionaire’s death, Red Bull put together a new board of directors to oversee the business.
Former RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has been appointed CEO.
Despite Red Bull enjoying their most successful season in F1 history in 2023, there has been speculation of a rift between Horner and Helmut Mark, Red Bull GmBH’s motorsport adviser.
Rumors even went so far as to suggest that Horner was determined to get rid of Marko, 80, from the squad, reports the Telegraph.
The former professional driver has overseen Red Bull’s driver development program since 2005 and was the driving force behind bringing Max Verstappen to the team.
But the speculation has been toned down, with Horner only admitting that there was a “slight difference of opinion” between him and Mark.
He even suggested the rumors may have been fueled by opponents, adding: “As we’ve tied both championships, there’s not much to talk about, so it’s very easy for others to turn the tables.”
But Marko hinted at internal strife when he commented: “I have a contract until the end of 2024 and in the end it’s the decision of the shareholders, not Christian Horner, and in the end I’m the one who decides.”
Formula 1 journalist Erik van Haren said the power struggle now appeared to be coming to a “climax”.
He told De Telegraaf: “[Horner and Marko] becoming more and more like water and fire.
“Although, of course, in the publicity they pretend that everything is fine.
“Horner, of course, is the team boss and CEO of Red Bull Racing. There are over a thousand people working there. Super important to the operational side of the whole story.
“However, all Formula 1 connoisseurs are of course aware that Helmut Marko, the Austrian, draws the big picture. So he decides who will sit in those seats.
“And yes, Horner might be the guy who would like to do it, but Helmut is the guy who makes the big decisions.
“So if you asked Max Verstappen, the most important man in that team, with a knife to his throat, to choose between Christian Horner and Helmut Mark, you would always choose Helmut.”
In 2005, Horner was appointed team principal of Red Bull’s F1 team, winning 13 world titles along the way.
It comes as
On Saturday, Geri Halliwell shared an awkward hug and creepy kiss with husband Christian Horner amid leaked sexts.
The Spice Girl, 51, presented a united front with Red Bull’s F1 boss who was not criticized before and after yesterday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
She landed in the Middle East on Thursday night, as a flood of sexually suggestive WhatsApp messages and pictures between Horner, 50, and the employee began circulating around the world.
Sources said furious Geri “read him the riot act” but put on a brave face for the cameras – much to her husband’s “relief”.
Ginger Spice – wearing high heels, a white designer dress and clutching an Hermes bag – walked arm-in-arm with her husband into the catering area yesterday ahead of the race.
Horner then leaned in to plant an awkward kiss on his wife’s cheek as he wrapped his arm around her back.
After Red Bull’s world champion Max Verstappen stormed to victory in the season opener yesterday, Geri was hugged tightly by her husband as she flashed a forced smile for the cameras.
Horner said: “This was the best possible start to the season, very clinical and well executed. A perfect start.”
The public display of love came after showbiz sources said Geri was considering the future of her nine-year marriage to Horner, the father of her seven-year-old son.
Someone close to the singer said: “Many people who know her are amazed by this kind of support. No doubt she’s furious and read him a riot act because of what happened.”
Other sources added that Horner tried to downplay his sex scandal by telling Gera that his investigation was about a “promotion dispute”.
An insider said: “When Christian first told her about the situation, he said he had fallen out with a woman who wanted a promotion and more responsibility at Red Bull.
“So he sold it to Geri as a workplace argument and she went along with it. So now Geri is pissed that there seems to be more to it.”
Meanwhile, Horner took to Instagram to express his gratitude to the Red Bull Racing team.
He hailed a “perfect start to the season” after his team won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday.
Boss Horner congratulated driver Max Verstappen after his victory.
The victory was secured despite the race being dominated by one issue – an internal investigation into Horner over allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague.
In a post released on Saturday night, Horner thanked his “hardworking team” and their support.
He wrote: “What a weekend. Perfect start to the season.
“Many thanks to all the hard working team at Milton Keynes for all their work over the winter to produce another excellent and very competitive car.
“To our stakeholders, celebrity partners and everyone here in Bahrain, we thank you for your endless support and commitment to get us off to the best possible start.”
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Pictures show Geri Horner and her husband sharing an intimate moment before the first race of the season Credit: Getty
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Horner and Geri seen holding hands at the Bahrain GP yesterday Credit: Getty
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The couple were seen together and all smiles at the Bahrain Grand Prix
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Horner and Geri pictured together after the race smiling Credit: PA
A look at the life and career of Christian Horner
CHRISTIAN Horner is one of the most famous names in Formula 1 because he helped build Red Bull into one of the biggest teams in the sport.
1973 – Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
1991 – wins a Formula Renault scholarship after impressing in karting races
1993-1997 – Competed in a range of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two and Formula 3000
1997 – Founded and developed F3000 team Arden
1999 – Retired from driving and continued to develop the Arden team
2005 – Appointed Red Bull team boss, becoming the youngest team manager at the time
2009 – Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
2010 – wins Constructors’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship with Vettel – the first of four consecutive two-seaters
2013 – Has a daughter with ex-wife Beverly Allen shortly before the couple split
2014 – Gets engaged to Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell
2015 – Marries Halliwell in Woburn, Bedfordshire
2017 – Horner and Halliwell welcome their son
2021 – Wins another Drivers’ Championship title with Max Verstappen, overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season
2022-23 – Red Bull wins the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship two years in a row
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Source: HIS Education