- Horner was cleared over allegations of ‘coercive behaviour’ towards a colleague
- Screenshots of a conversation between Horner and the employee were leaked
- Horner is still under pressure despite Red Bull taking a 1-2 in the opening race
Christian Horner was seen having an animated exchange with Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, during the weekend of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
It comes after the ex-Formula One driver insisted that Red Bull would ‘explode’ if Horner remains as team principal.
Horner was cleared last Wednesday of ‘coercive behaviour’ towards a female colleague following an investigation into the Red Bull team principal, who is also the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.
However, screenshots of a text conversation allegedly between the 50-year-old Horner and the employee that made the allegations were leaked via an anonymous email. The email was sent to leading F1 figures and contained 79 documents that included some messages of a sexual nature.
The heat on the beleaguered team principal’s future continues to rise going into this weekend’s race in Saudi Arabia, and he was seen having an animated discussion with the father of Red Bull’s star driver – after Mail Sport reported that they had a blazing row after qualifying on Friday night.
Footage captured by Sky Italy, show the pair deep in conversation inside the Red Bull motorhome, with Horner seen pointing outside and waving his hand around.
Verstappen briefly waves his hand around, but spends most of the conversation with his hands inside his coat pockets.
ESPN have reported that Jos will not attend the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend following comments he made about Horner.
Mail Sport revealed on Saturday how Jos, a former team-mate of Michael Schumacher, had a blazing row in Horner’s paddock office after qualifying on Friday night.
Verstappen, 51, walked out of the fiery meeting before returning to the room and reluctantly shaking hands.
According to his affiliates, Horner believes Verstappen Snr has orchestrated a campaign to unseat him for the past few weeks, the implication being that the Dutchman even had a hand in the email leak.
‘There is tension here while he (Horner) remains in position,’ Jos exclusively told Mail Sport.
‘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.’
The Telegraph, reported that Verstappen’s dad has told friends his son will move on from Red Bull if he has to.
Verstappen Snr was seen speaking to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff during the weekend of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Mercedes have an empty seat for the 2025 season, though Verstappen is contracted at Red Bull until 2028 and is currently driving for the dominant team in Formula One.
Jos Verstappen denies the claims, saying: ‘That wouldn’t make sense. Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here?’
Triple world champion Max already looks on course for a fourth consecutive title after dominating the Bahrain Grand Prix, in a Red Bull 1-2 from team-mate Sergio Perez.
Though the team’s on-track performance gave Horner something to smile about, there is still a lot to contend with off-track,.
Halliwell was on a flight to see her husband ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix when the messages were leaked. She shared a kiss with Horner in full view of the cameras in a show of solidarity on race day.
The team principal was also seen stood next to his wife of nearly nine years as they watched the podium celebrations on Saturday.
Halliwell is holding ‘crisis talks’ over Horner’s alleged leaked text messages and did not want to meet her husband in Bahrain until she was talked into it by his family, sources claimed.
Though there has been a showcase of unity involving him and his wife, Horner is facing pressure from other directions.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem broke his silence on Friday, telling the Financial Times that the controversy that has been surrounding Horner is ‘damaging to the sport… this is damaging on a human level‘.
Mail Sport previously reported that Ben Sulayem implored Horner’s star driver Verstappen to publicly back the Red Bull team principal in a chat after qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday.
The triple world champion, who took pole and went on to win the race in Bahrain, was seen in discussion with motor racing’s most senior figure in parc ferme. Both men hid what they said behind their hands.
But according to an observer standing close by, Ben Sulayem told Verstappen: ‘You must publicly back Christian.’
Another source said that Verstappen wasn’t entirely convinced by the advice. The Dutchman was equivocal when asked about Horner in the press conference afterwards.
After victory, Horner said: ‘I am not going to comment on the motives whatever person may have for doing this.’
Asked if he would be in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for next weekend’s race and the whole season, he said: ‘Absolutely. I’ve always been confident I’ll be here.’
He added: ‘I’m not going to comment on what motives whatever person may have. My focus is on this team, my family, my wife and going racing and winning races.’
When asked if he was confident he will remain in his position for the season, he said: ‘Absolutely 100 per cent.
‘There was a full lengthy internal process that was completed by an independent QC. The grievance that was raised was dismissed. End of. Move on. I’ve always been entirely confident that I’ll be here.’
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
