Max Verstappen’s father is expected to stay away from his son’s upcoming races as tensions at Red Bull continue to rise over Christian Horner’s ‘sex texts’ scandal, it has been revealed.
Jos Verstappen will reportedly not attend any forthcoming events, including this week’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with bosses of the F1 team reportedly holding and ‘clear-the-air’ talks’ in a bid to calm what has quickly become a toxic situation.
The revelation comes as footage emerged of Horner, whose career and marriage with Geri Halliwell has been left hanging in the balance, having a blazing row with Verstappen senior at the Red Bull paddock home in Bahrain.
The father of the F1 star was dragged into the ongoing saga with Horner after he was accused of being close to the woman the F1 boss is accused of sexting. He also claimed Red Bull would ‘explode’ if Horner remains as team principal.
Meanwhile questions have been raised about how much Red Bull, who cleared Horner of misconduct and inappropriate behaviour allegations last week, knew about the unnamed employees relationship with both men.
Max Verstappen ‘s father is expected to stay away from his son’s upcoming races as tensions at Red Bull continue to rise over Christian Horner ‘s ‘sex texts’ scandal. Pictured: Horner and Verstappen in Bahrain on March 2
Jos Verstappen, father of F1 driver Max, in another animated conversation with Christian Horner in Bahrain six days ago
Scandal-hit Horner having a blazing row with his nemesis Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull’s star driver Max, on camera in Bahrain
The most senior figures within the F1 team have held discussions with someone close to the Verstappens in the lead-up to this weekends race, according to The Times.
During the chat, those involved vowed to put the team first throughout the ongoing dispute.
There is ever-growing speculation that Verstappen might sensationally quit Red Bull with his father being seen in conversation with the Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff while in Bahrain.
There will be an empty seat at Mercedes when Lewis Hamilton leaves at the end of 2024. Others have speculated that he will join Hamilton at Ferrari.
The team is thought to be a possible option for the world number one if tensions at Red Bull do not subside.
The team attempted to put on a display of unity in Bahrain over the weekend, with Horner and his Spice Girl wife – who was said last week to be ‘having the meltdown to end all meltdowns over the leaks’ – smiling and embracing as they watched on.
Last night, however, it emerged that Horner is still in contact with the female colleague at the centre of the feud and was even asked to fly out to Bahrain to support the team last weekend, The Sun reported.
Christian Horner’s career and marriage to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell (pictured) is under threat following the allegations
Jos Verstappen will reportedly not attend any forthcoming events, including this week’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Pictured: Verstappen snr in Bahrain over the weekend
Max Verstappen, who won the Bahrain Grand Prix at the weekend, with Red Bull boss Horner
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing during Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2
Despite the explosive claims the female employee has apparently stayed at work at Red Bull’s HQ in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
The woman at the centre of the sexual misconduct allegations has worked for RedBull for four years, revealed earlier.
READ MORE: ALISON BOSHOFF: Why does the father of Red Bull’s star driver Max Verstappen loathe Geri’s husband so much?
Horner is understood to be threatening legal action against a Formula 1 magazine that named the female colleague claiming the publication had breached privacy and data rights. He also said it was defamatory, according to a report in the Telegraph.
Sources close to Verstappen snr claim he has been friends with the female co-worker for at least three years.
There were even said to have looked cosy together on a yacht in Abu Dhabi in November 2021, celebrating Red Bull’s victory at a Grand Prix where his son famously overtook Lewis Hamilton to win the World Drivers’ Championship.
It added to speculation of Verstappen snr’s involvement in the scandal, which he was forced to deny any involvement when the files first leaked. He has also denied leaking news of the grievance procedure against Horner to a Dutch newspaper.
One insider with knowledge of the row told today that it shows that Formula 1 is a ‘dirty world’.
His son, Max, has also been dragged into the row, refusing on four occasions in press conferences to offer Horner unconditional backing. Insiders have said he is believed to be in general support of his father’s stance.
Horner was cleared of wrongdoing last month following an internal investigation at Red Bull into ‘coercive behaviour’ towards the colleague. However messages said to be between the pair were subsequently leaked.
The leak of messages seems to show that Horner sent her suggestive texts and intimate photographs believed to be the main evidence in her complaint to Red Bull GmbH. There were reportedly over 100 text messages and photographs.