Max Verstappen ‘could leave Red Bull’ because of dad Jos after Christian Horner row | F1 | Sport

The Red Bull camp has been at the centre of the F1 drama over the past month following news of an internal investigation into allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ from Horner towards an unnamed employee.

Horner was cleared by the investigation on Wednesday ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, but ‘leaked’ messages and photos have since circulated around the paddock and amplified the noise surrounding the 50-year-old’s future.

Despite the media storm, Horner remains defiant in his position, but this has caused tension between the team principal and Jos – father of the reigning champion – who revealed to the Daily Mail on Sunday that he was involved in a ‘blazing row’ in the paddock in Bahrain. 

In that report, Verstappen Snr denied being the one to leak the messages, explaining: « That wouldn’t make sense. Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here? »

He did, however, make clear his feelings on Horner’s position, noting: « There is tension here while he remains in position. The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems. » Red Bull have since responded, with a spokesperson saying: « There are no issues here. The team are united and we are focused on racing. »

According to a report from The Telegraph, the tensions between Verstappen’s father and Horner have built to such an extent that the reigning world champion seeing out his Red Bull contract is no longer a guarantee. 

One such possible destination for the three-time world champion could be Mercedes. Verstappen’s father was pictured chatting with Toto Wolff in the paddock at the Sakhir International Circuit, and the Telegraph report explains that the pair chatted again at The Four Seasons hotel over the weekend. 

The Silver Arrows were dealt a bombshell of their own earlier this year when Lewis Hamilton made the decision to activate an exit clause in his deal and join Ferrari for the 2025 season.

This move has left George Russell as Mercedes’ only contracted driver for next season, and Verstappen would represent a show-stopping replacement for the most successful F1 driver of all time.