- The two men have openly had their differences over Horner’s rocky final years
- Horner stepped back from the team he has overseen for more than two decades
- With him, Red Bull has won eight drivers’ and six constructors’ championships
Christian Horner and Max Verstappen‘s father Jos were allegedly caught up in a heated exchange at the British Grand Prix just days before the former Red Bull team principal was dismissed, Ralf Schumacher has claimed.
The 51-year-old had served in his role since the conception of the constructor in 2005, overseeing an unprecedented period of success that has taken in six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ championships.
But last February saw the former team principal embroiled in a controversy which swept up the Formula One paddock.
The 51-year-old was accused of sexual harassment and coercive and controlling behaviour by a female employee. He was twice cleared, initially after an internal investigation conducted by a lawyer, and then by another lawyer who dismissed the female employee’s appeal. Horner has strongly denied the claims.
Amid the developing scandal, fault lines emerged within the Red Bull camp, with Jos openly calling for Horner to leave the set up, and telling Mail Sport that the team was ‘in danger of being torn apart’ as long as he continued in his role.
While tensions gradually eased as Horner maintained his position and Verstappen captured a fourth world championship, Schumacher – a racing pundit and brother of F1 superstar Michael – claimed this week that they had not disappeared completely.
Jos Verstappen is thought to have been caught up in a heated exchange with Christian Horner
The pair were infamously spotted in a heated discussion at last year’s Bahrain Grand Prix
Ralf Schumacher has claimed that Horner is not a man who can take criticism very well
‘There was another argument or a heated exchange, at least visually and verbally between Jos Verstappen, Christian Horner and the press officer,’ Schumacher told Boxengasse-podcast, via the Sun.
‘You could see that Jos was anything but happy with the situation.’
Schumacher added that he found Horner to be ‘a bit of a difficult person’ who had ‘failed to keep the team together well’ – while admitting also that doing so was a difficult task.
‘He can’t really deal with criticism,’ Schumacher continued. ‘(Sky Sports Germany) are, or I am, now, on a so-called black list, so he no longer talks to us or with me and such.
‘It’s actually a joke, because a man who has won so much should actually be able to discuss it in front of the camera.’
Jos and Horner were previously seen in a fiery discussion at last year’s Bahrain Grand Prix in the thick of the developing controversy, with the former seen storming out of the latter’s office ahead of the race.
Verstappen’s father later returned, and shook hands with Horner, but again had strong words for the team months later, after his son’s winless run was extended to five races at his home race, the Dutch Grand Prix.
Horner was dismissed from his role at Red Bull after 20 years in charge at the constructor
‘Internally, you should hold a mirror up to yourself and not always gloss over everything,’ Jos told German outlet BILD. ‘It is time – if it is not already too late – to question ourselves.
‘The good people are leaving the team. I’m very unhappy with what’s happening.’
‘Max won’t be satisfied with having a car like that. Now it’s up to Horner to get the team back on track.’
When asked whether he trusted Horner to turn things around at Red Bull, Jos said: ‘I’ll be surprised, but at the moment I’m saying no.
‘A lot has to happen. The whole spirit has to change.’
