Christian Horner faced a barrage of questions in the team bosses press conference on Friday as Jos Verstappen once again made headlines with comments regarding the Red Bull Racing team principal.
The Dutchman was due to take part in the legends parade at the Red Bull Ring, driving Sebastian Vettel’s RB8. However, he pulled out of the event.
Speaking to De Telegraaf, the former F1 driver who now takes part in rallies, accused Horner of trying to stop him from taking part, as well as stopping people from taking photos and video footage of it.
“In recent days, I have heard from several sides that Christian Horner has done everything to not let me drive. And otherwise to make sure that nothing would be filmed.
“Then I think, ‘Say it to my face’. This way, it doesn’t have to be for me, I find it very disappointing.”
The 52-year-old was not finished there, going after Horner in a separate interview with Formule1.nl.
“How childish can you be?
“There was going to be filming, also with a drone, but Horner didn’t want me to be filmed.
“I’m completely finished with Horner. It’s like a playground here.
“I would have been allowed to drive in the end, but I backed out. I find this so childish of Horner, but I think it says something about him.”
He was not finished there. Verstappen Sr. spoke to Sky Deutschland following qualifying and suggested his son joining Mercedes is not out of the question.
Jos Verstappen: “There is so much going on, so I don’t want to say too much about it.”
Interviewer: “So a switch to Mercedes is not out of the question?”
Jos Verstappen: “Correct.”
The pre-qualifying quotes was a huge topic in the press conference as Horner faced multiple questions about his relationship with Jos Verstappen.
The Brit was very much focused on not talking about him, focusing instead on the strong relationship he has with his lead driver and the son of Jos, three-time defending World Champion Max Verstappen.
The questions and answers are available in full below.
Q: Question is to Christian. I’m sure you’re aware of some reports in the Dutch media claiming that you vetoed Jos Verstappen being filmed during the Legends Parade and Jos’ reaction to it, which was, ‘this is kindergarten, childish, and I am completely done with him’. Now, there’s always two sides to every story. So what’s yours?
Christian Horner: “Look, I’ve been made aware that… The Legends Parade is something that is organised by the circuit. There was no veto from my side or anything like that. And I’m sure the Legends will be in action later.”
Q: Just following on from that, Christian, how is your relationship with Jos these days? Because this seems to be a kind of return to the flashpoints we had at the start of the season, with some comments being played out in the press. Is it a good relationship between you? and how’s the relationship with Max as well and beyond that?
CH: “Well, the relationship with Max has always been very good, very strong. And he’s a key part of our team. And he’s our driver. He’s the one that is important, obviously, to have a strong relationship with.
“I’ve never had an issue with any of our drivers’ fathers in the past. And whatever Jos’s issues are, I’ve really got nothing to comment on.”
Q: Another one for you, Christian. I think we all understand now that you have a pretty good relationship to Max, but not so much to Jos. But isn’t it important for you, as a team principal, to have a good relationship to the father of your driver as well? Because we all know how important racing driver dads are for the sons.
CH: “My interest is in the performance of the team. We have a wonderful team. We’ve got great drivers. And in Max, we’ve got the best driver in the world. And he came to our team as a young man. And he’s grown and grown in stature. He’s grown as a driver and as a human being.
“And I think the way he conducts himself, the way he works with the team is outstanding. And that is my key interest, and it’s about the performance of the team. It’s about how the team works.
“And of course, we’ve enjoyed tremendous success. Despite the distractions of this year, we’ve still won 70% of the races, including two Sprint races and seven poles. We lead both World Championships.
“So yeah, you can’t control everything in life. I can’t control relationships with drivers’ fathers. But my focus is on the performance of our drivers, the performance of our team. And that’s where we’ll remain.”
Q: A question to Christian. How did your relationship with Jos change over the years and where did it went wrong?
CH:“I don’t think it’s really helpful to continue talking on the topic of Jos. I think our focus is very much on Max. He’s our driver. He’s who we have a contract with. And he’s who we’re focused on trying to win this Grand Prix with.”
It was not the only topic of conversation as Horner was quizzed about Toto Wolff’s continued pursuit of Max Verstappen.
The 26-year-old Dutchman has repeatedly said since things calmed down within the team after Saudi Arabia that he will be staying at Red Bull until 2028.
Horner could not resist a joke about Jos Verstappen being available next year for Mercedes, as he also fired a shot at his Austrian counterpart over the fact he lost Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari.
Q: Let’s stay with Max. He confirmed yesterday that he’s going to remain with the team in 2025. There has been a lot of speculation about that this year. I know you’ll say he’s got a contract until 2028, but is it reassuring for you that he’s actually come out and said that now?
CH: “It only reaffirms everything that we already know. Max is an important part of our team. He’s had all of his victories and podiums in Red Bull Racing cars, his three world championships so far and he’s a crucial member of the team.
“He enjoys being part of the team. He’s got a tremendous group around him. And we know what the future looks like.
“And, you know, obviously a lot of noise has been made about him going elsewhere and sometimes one just thinks that that’s a distraction tactic [from Toto Wolff] that’s just thrown in because you have to question what are the motives obviously behind that.
“And the driver that’s created all the movement in the market had all the information about the engines and 2026 regulations and so on and chose to leave and left a vacancy at Mercedes, which is why there has now been obviously a little bit of speculation as to who will fill that seat, but it won’t be Max Verstappen.”
Q: Question for Christian. Two questions, actually. Firstly, how did Max’s dad take the news that he’s obviously made yesterday, that he is staying put?
And secondly, the Toto element still puzzles me. He keeps saying he’s interested in Max. And he’s even saying now, even with Max coming out and saying, I’m staying, and he’s like, well, is he? He’s not too sure. Why does he keep on saying that? Why do you think?
CH: “I mean, that’s a question you’d have to ask Toto. I thought Max was pretty resolute in what he said in this conference yesterday. He’s always been absolutely consistent with that with the team.
“So, yeah, why Toto? I think it’s purely a tactic of distraction. Of course, if he does want a Verstappen for next year, then I guess Jos is potentially available.”
