Amid rumours of a move to Mercedes and an ongoing Feud with Jos Verstappen, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has insisted that his relationship with Max Verstappen is “very good, very strong.”
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It is a big weekend for Red Bull as we head to the Austria Grand Prix. However, the Austrian team may be in the limelight for the wrong reasons this weekend. Jos Verstappen has accused Christian Horner of halting his demonstration run in a Red Bull RB8 during the annual Legends Parade at the Red Bull Ring.
Difficulties at Red Bull
Jos Verstappen told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, “In recent days, I have heard from several sides that Christian Horner has done everything to not let me drive.
“Then I think, ‘say it in my face’. This way, it doesn’t have to be for me, I find it very disappointing.”
Horner responded to the comments and denied the accusations that he had blocked J. Verstappen from being a part of the Legends Parade. He said, “Look, I’ve been made aware [of the comments]. The Legends Parade is something that is organised by the circuit.
“There we no veto from my side or anything like that. And I’m sure the Legends will be in action later.”
After Horner was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female colleague, the relationship between him and Jos Verstappen broke down. Horner denied these accusations and was cleared of wrongdoing.
J. Verstappen detailed that Horner’s presence at the team risked it being “torn apart” in the aftermath of the controversy that sparked furious debate in and outside of the paddock.
Horner and Verstappen are ‘Very Good’
When asked at the Austrian Grand Prix in a press conference is the public rows between himself and Jos Verstappen had impacted his relationship with Red Bull’s World Champion driver Max Verstappen, Horner shared that “The relationship with Max has always been very good, very strong.”
“He’s a key part of our team. 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. Whatever Jos’s issues are, I’ve really got nothing to comment on.”
Mercedes Rumours
Horner also discussed the rumours of Max Verstappen heading to Mercedes. The German team have a seat free after Lewis Hamilton announced his departure to Ferrari for the 2025 season.
Team Principal Toto Wolff is keen to sign the Dutch driver to replace their departing World Champion with another. Horner believes this is to distract from Mercedes’ poor form since the 2022 season.
“Max is an important part of our team,” Horner stated. “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. Obviously, a lot of noise has been made about him going elsewhere and sometimes, one just thinks that’s a distraction tactic that’s thrown in because you have to question what are the motives behind that.
“The driver that’s created all the movement in the market had all the information about the engines and 2026 regulations and chose to leave and left the vacancy at Mercedes. That is why there has now been a little bit of speculation as to who will fill that seat. But it won’t be Max Verstappen.”
Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool