March 03, (THEWILL)- The Red Bull Formula One team risks being “torn apart” and could “explode” if team principal Christian Horner remains in charge, the father of triple world champion Max Verstappen said on Saturday.
The comments from former F1 driver Jos Verstappen came in an interview with the Daily Mail newspaper at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where his son dominated Saturday’s season-opening race.
Horner was recently cleared after an independent investigation into misconduct allegations made by a female employee. The inquiry was a distraction during pre-season testing and Horner has stayed in the spotlight after an anonymous email purporting to contain evidence from the investigation was distributed to media and key figures.
“There is tension whilst he remains in position,” Verstappen Sr. told the British newspaper. “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.”
After the race, Horner told reporters he would not comment “on what motives whatever person may have for doing this.” He expressed confidence in the support of his family, wife and team.
Verstappen Sr. also denied any involvement in the distribution of the anonymous email. “That wouldn’t make sense. Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here?” said the elder Verstappen. His son, Max, has won the last three F1 championships in a row. Saturday’s victory was the 55th of his career, all with Red Bull.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
