FORMULA One champion Max Verstappen’s dad Jos is set to skip the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix this week after his explosive row with Christian Horner.
The pair fell out over Horner‘s bombshell sexting scandal after intimate texts sent by him to a female colleague were leaked online, rupturing the Red Bull team.
GettyJos Verstappen and Christian Horner have come to blows after the recent sexting row – and Verstappen Senior is apparently skipping the Saudi Grand Prix this week[/caption]
GettyJos Verstappen pictured in Bahrain over the weekend[/caption]
RexMax Verstappen and Christian Horner at training in Bahrain last week[/caption]
The pair were filmed in what looked to be a heated argument just days ago
Horner, 50, was cleared by an internal investigation after shocking allegations of inappropriate behaviour just weeks ago.
But only hours later an anonymous dossier of his seedy and sexually suggestive messages were leaked widely online.
Verstappen Senior has made it clear he’s not happy with the F1 boss – telling press the team “is in danger of being torn apart” and things “can’t go on” the way they are.
Now as tensions reach a boiling point, the former racer has decided to pull out of attending this weeks races in Jeddah, ESPN reports.
Rumours suggest Verstappen Senior and Horner have been clashing for months, and the pair reportedly had an explosive row on Friday evening.
Not long after Sky Sports footage of what appeared to be a fresh argument between the pair suggests cracks in Red Bull’s team are widening under rising pressure.
Jos even said Horner’s Red Bull Racing team would “explode” if Horner is allowed remained in the top slot.
His close friendship with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff could even see Max forced to jump ship and take the seat left vacant by Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.
Jos bluntly told press after Max bagged a win in the F1 opening race: “There is tension here while he [Horner] remains in position.
“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 causing the problems.”
The Sun alleged over the weekend that a mole inside the Red Bull camp could have sent the dossier of texts to F1 personnel.
And Jos, a former team-mate of Michael Schumacher, was asked if he was involved.
He strongly denied the claims, saying: “That wouldn’t make sense.
“Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here?”
Jos, 51, has overseen his son’s career like a hawk after taking part in 106 races as an F1 driver himself.
Now his row with Horner has left son Max, 26, in an awkward position and could drive a bigger wedge through the Red Bull team.
And according to the Sunday Telegraph, Jos even told pals his son will “move on from Red Bull Racing if he has to” after the recent drama.
Horner did not comment on the leak while in Bahrain for the Grand Prix.
While it is not clear yet whether the messages are authentic, and serve as evidence against him – they showcased a series of seedy and sexually suggestive conversations.
Horner was joined in Bahrain on Saturday by wife Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, 51, who displayed a clear show of support for her husband.
The pair were seen holding hands, tightly embracing and even kissing in the F1 paddock.
But sources said furious Geri “read the riot act” to him before putting on a brave face for the cameras — to her husband’s “relief”.
Horner had always denied the allegations of inappropriate behaviour and was cleared by Red Bull to continue in his role on Wednesday after the employee’s claim for grievance was dismissed.
SplashGeri putting on a show of support for husband Christian on Saturday[/caption]
GettyMax Verstappen with his dad Jos in the paddock ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix[/caption]