The controversy round Crimson Bull workforce principal Christian Horner is “driving folks aside”, says the daddy of the workforce’s F1 champion Max Verstappen.
An nameless e mail together with messages purporting to contain Horner have been leaked on Thursday, a day after Crimson Bull dismissed a criticism of inappropriate behaviour towards him.
Horner has refused to say if the leaked messages are real.
“It can’t proceed this manner,” mentioned former F1 driver Jos Verstappen.
“The scenario shouldn’t be good for the workforce and is driving folks aside.”
Verstappen denied that he was the supply of the leaks.
The 51-year-old instructed the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “Why would I try this? Max has a contract with Crimson Bull till 2028, is performing nice and feels at house right here. I’ve little interest in that in any respect.”
Verstappen made comparable feedback to the Each day Mail, saying Crimson Bull would “explode” if Horner remained in his place, including: “He’s taking part in the sufferer when he’s the one inflicting issues.”
Verstappen instructed BBC Sport he made the feedback to the 2 newspapers after falling out with Horner in Bahrain.
He added that Max Verstappen had seen the feedback and didn’t say something.
A Crimson Bull spokesperson mentioned: “There aren’t any points right here. The workforce are united and we’re targeted on racing.”
On Sunday the Telegraaf reported that Max Verstappen had been requested by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of F1’s governing physique the FIA, to again Horner publicly.
BBC Sport has independently verified the story.
Ben Sulayem’s strategy got here after Max Verstappen gave solely certified assist to Horner when requested 4 occasions within the lead-up to the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday whether or not he had full religion and confidence in him.
The FIA has been approached for remark.
Over the Bahrain occasion, the FIA repeatedly mentioned that it was in dialog with F1 administration on the subject of the Horner allegations.
Jos Verstappen’s intervention is doubtlessly important as a result of Max wields main affect inside Crimson Bull because of his success on the observe.
It additionally displays inner tensions recognized to exist inside Crimson Bull, between Horner and motorsport adviser Helmut Marko, and between the Thai majority homeowners and executives on the headquarters in Austria.
Final 12 months the Verstappens backed Austrian Marko after he had a falling-out with Horner.
The corporate possession is cut up, with 51% owned by the Yoovidhya household and 49% by Crimson Bull in Austria, underneath Mark Mateschitz, the son of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who died in October 2022.