Christian Horner: Jos Verstappen says controversy 'divides team'

Controversy surrounding Crimson Bull crew boss Christian Horner “is driving folks aside”, says F1 crew champion Max Verstappen's father.

An nameless e-mail containing messages purportedly involving Horner was leaked on Thursday, a day after Crimson Bull dismissed a criticism of misconduct towards him.

“It will possibly't go on like this,” stated former F1 driver Jos Verstappen.

“The scenario will not be good for the crew and it drives folks away.”

Verstappen denied being the supply of the leaks.

The 51-year-old instructed Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “Why would I do it? Max has a contract with Crimson Bull till 2028, he's performing nice and he feels at house right here. I'm not in any respect.”

Verstappen made related feedback to the Day by day Mail, saying Crimson Bull will “explode” if Horner stays in his place, including: “He's taking part in the sufferer when he's the one inflicting the issues.”

Verstappen instructed BBC Sport that he spoke to the 2 newspapers after falling out with Horner in Bahrain.

He added that Max Verstappen noticed the feedback and stated nothing.

A Crimson Bull spokesman stated: “There are not any issues right here. The crew is united and we’re centered on racing.”

On Sunday, the Telegraaf reported that Max Verstappen had been requested by Mohammed Ben Sulay, the president of F1 F1, to publicly help Horner.

BBC Sport independently verified the story.

Ben Sulayem's method got here after Max Verstappen gave Horner solely certified help when he requested him 4 occasions earlier than the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday if he had full religion and belief in him.

The FIA ​​has been requested to remark.

Throughout the race in Bahrain, the FIA ​​repeatedly acknowledged that it was in dialog with F1 administration with reference to Horner's allegations.

Jose Verstappen's intervention is doubtlessly important as Max has a number of affect at Crimson Bull due to his success on the monitor.

It additionally displays the interior tensions identified to exist inside Crimson Bull, between Horner and motorsport adviser Helmut Mark and between the Thai majority house owners and managers at headquarters in Austria.

Final 12 months, the Verstappens backed Austrian Marko after he had a row with Horner.

The corporate's possession is cut up, with 51% owned by the Yoovidhya household and 49% by Crimson Bull in Austria beneath Mark Mateschitz, son of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who died in October 2022.

Max Verstappen opened his marketing campaign for a fourth consecutive world title with a dominant victory in Bahrain.

The Horner controversy dominated occasions within the season-opening race.

A day after Crimson Bull introduced that the criticism towards him had been “withdrawn” following an inner investigation, an nameless e-mail containing messages purportedly involving Horner was leaked.

Horner stated: “I can’t touch upon nameless, speculative reviews from an unknown supply.”

He added that he’s “completely” assured that he might be in his function for all the season.

“I used to be at all times completely certain I used to be going to be right here,” he stated.

“There was a full, prolonged inner course of accomplished by an unbiased KC. And the criticism that was made was dismissed. The top. Transfer on.”

An try to get him to say whether or not the reviews had been real was terminated by a Crimson Bull public relations officer.

Crimson Bull declined to launch the title of the lawyer concerned or present any additional particulars concerning the report that was compiled or how they reached their resolution.

Horner's spouse Geri visited the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday in an obvious present of unity.

Chalerm Yoovidhya, head of the Yoovidhya household, was additionally on the race. Yoovidhya declined to reply questions from BBC Sport.

The FIA ​​stated it was discussing the matter with F1's business rights administration.