Christian Horner and Max Verstappen's father Jos were seen on TV in the middle of a heated conversation at the Bahrain Grand Prix – with rumors circulating online about why the two F1 giants appeared to be rowing.
The feuding men had an expressive discussion yesterday after Mail Sport reported that a heated argument broke out after qualifying on Friday evening.
Jos, who was also seen speaking to Ferrari boss Toto Wolff last night, has insisted Red Bull would “blow up” if Horner stayed on as team boss, after leaks of messages and images sent by the Red Bull team boss to a employee had sent. He says Christian is playing the victim.
What Christian and Jos discussed in a team trailer remains a secret – although Horner was visibly excited and was seen pointing and waving his hand. Jos had his hands in his pockets.
The footage sparked wild speculation online about what the seemingly heated conversation entailed. Many believe that if Horner keeps his £8million job, it is an indication that Max Verstappen could try to force a move to Ferrari and join Lewis Hamilton. There is also a place available at Mercedes when Lewis leaves at the end of 2024.
Others suggested Jos may have been defending the employee or telling Christian to fall on his sword, with Mr Horner explaining why he refused.
His Dutch maestro son Max refused four times in press conferences last weekend to offer Horner unconditional support. Insiders said he generally supported his father's stance.
Horner was cleared of “coercive behavior” towards the woman last Wednesday following an investigation. His wife Geri Halliwell flew to Bahrain to be with him and even kissed him in front of the cameras – an extraordinary show of support for her under-fire husband.
Christian Horner was seen having a lively discussion with Max Verstappen's father Jos in the Red Bull motorhome over the weekend of the Bahrain Grand Prix
Both Verstappen and Horner waved their arms during their closed-door discussion
Jos (right) told Mail Sport that Red Bull would “explode” if Horner kept his main role in the team
Horner, the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, is facing further trouble after screenshots of a text conversation allegedly between the 50-year-old and the employee who made allegations of “coercive behavior” against him were leaked via an anonymous email
However, screenshots of an alleged text conversation between Horner, 50, and the employee who made the allegations were leaked via an anonymous email.
The email was sent to leading Formula 1 figures and contained 79 documents, some of which contained messages of a sexual nature.
The pressure on the beleaguered team boss's future continues to increase ahead of this weekend's race in Saudi Arabia.
Footage captured by Sky Italy shows the pair in conversation inside the Red Bull motorhome, with Horner seen pointing outside and waving his hand.
Verstappen waves his hand around briefly, but spends most of the conversation with his hands in his jacket pockets.
ESPN has reported that Jos will not take part in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend after comments he made about Horner.
Mail Sport revealed on Saturday how Jos, a former team-mate of Michael Schumacher, had a huge row in Horner's paddock office after qualifying on Friday evening.
Verstappen, 51, left the heated meeting before returning to the room and shaking his hand.
According to his partners, Horner believes that Verstappen Snr has orchestrated a campaign to unseat him in recent weeks, implying that the Dutchman was even involved in the email leak.
“There is tension here as he (Horner) stays in position,” Jos told Mail Sport exclusively.
“The team is in danger of being torn apart.” Things cannot continue as they are. It will explode. “He plays the victim even though he’s the one causing the problems.”
Verstappen (right) will reportedly not take part in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to his comments about Horner
Horner was pictured with his wife Halliwell as they watched the podium celebrations after Red Bull took a one-two finish at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix under the leadership of Max Verstappen
Horner and his wife Geri (left) publicly showed their unity despite his alleged text message scandal
Horner kissed his wife in front of the assembled cameras before heading to the starting grid
The Telegraph reported that Verstappen's father had told friends that his son would move from Red Bull if necessary.
Verstappen Snr was seen talking to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff over the weekend of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Mercedes has a vacant spot for the 2025 season, although Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028 and currently drives for the dominant team in Formula 1.
Jos Verstappen denies the claims and says: “That wouldn't make any sense. 'Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here?'
Three-time world champion Max is already on course for his fourth consecutive title after dominating the Bahrain Grand Prix in a Red Bull one-two over teammate Sergio Perez.
Although the team's performance on the track made Horner smile, there is still a lot of fighting to do off the track.
Despite the controversy, Horner is confident he will remain in charge throughout the season
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has reportedly asked Max Verstappen to publicly support Horner – although a source said the Dutchman was not convinced by the advice
Halliwell was on a flight to visit her husband before the Bahrain Grand Prix when the news broke. As an expression of solidarity, she kissed Horner in front of the cameras on race day.
The team boss also stood next to his wife of almost nine years as they watched the podium celebrations on Saturday.
According to sources, Halliwell is having “crisis talks” over Horner's alleged leaked text messages and did not want to meet her husband in Bahrain until she was persuaded by his family.
Although there was a sign of unity between him and his wife, Horner faces pressure from other quarters.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem broke his silence on Friday, telling the Financial Times that the Horner controversy was “damaging the sport… it's damaging on a human level.”
Mail Sport previously reported that Ben Sulayem pleaded with Horner's star driver Verstappen to publicly support the Red Bull team boss in a chat after qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday.
The three-time world champion, who took pole and went on to win the race in Bahrain, was seen in parc ferme having a discussion with motorsport's most senior figure. Both men hid their words behind their hands.
But according to an observer standing nearby, Ben Sulayem told Verstappen: “You have to publicly support Christian.”
Another source said that Verstappen was not entirely convinced by the advice. When the Dutchman was asked about Horner in the subsequent press conference, he did not make a clear statement.
After the win, Horner said: “I'm not going to comment on anyone's motives for doing this.”
Asked if he would be in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for next weekend's race and the entire season, he said: “Absolutely. I was always confident that I would be here.”
He added: “I'm not going to comment on what motives which person might have.” “My focus is on this team, my family, my wife and racing and winning races.”
When asked if he was confident he would stay in his position this season, he said: “Absolutely 100 percent.”
“There was a lengthy internal process that was completed by an independent quality control.” The complaint was dismissed. End of. Move on. “I was always completely confident that I would be here.”