CHRISTIAN Horner and Max Verstappen’s dad Jos were seen locked in what looked like a fiery argument during the Formula One season opener.
Reports of cracks in the Red Bull camp follow Horner‘s embarrassing sexting scandal – where intimate text messages sent by him to a female colleague were leaked online.
GettyJos Verstappen and Christian Horner have reportedly come to blows after the recent sexting row[/caption]
SKY SPORTSChristian Horner and Jos Verstappen having what looked like a heated debate on Saturday night[/caption]
GettyJos with son Max, who won the F1 season opener over the weekend[/caption]
Horner with wife Geri Halliwell, who put on a show support for her husband at the Grand Prix
And F1 world champion Verstappen was dragged into the drama when his father, Jos Verstappen, called for Christian Horner’s head.
Rumours suggest Verstappen Senior and Horner have been clashing for months, and the pair reportedly had an explosive row on Friday evening.
The Sky Sports footage of what appeared to be a fresh argument between the pair on Saturday suggests cracks in Red Bull’s team are widening under rising pressure.
Jos even said Horner’s Red Bull Racing team would “explode” if he remained in the top slot and could be “torn apart”.
And his close friendship with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff could 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.”
Last week Horner, 50, was cleared in an internal Red Bull investigation of inappropriate behaviour after a complaint was raised by a female colleague.
But just 24 hours after the fact – hundreds of messages were leaked on social media via an anonymous email.
The racing boss 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 then 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”.
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.
Max wished Jos happy birthday on Twitter today, posting a picture of him as a youngster in a model racing car with his dad crouched behind him.
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 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.
Who is Jos Verstappen?
A FORMER F1 driver himself, Jos achieved two podiums in 106 races but has recently been better known as the father of world champion Max Verstappen.
Jos can frequently be seen behind the scenes at Red Bull during the race weekends and takes pride in supporting his son publicly.
However, he has been the subject of some scrutiny in the past.
After an incident in 1998 at a karting track where another man suffered a fractured skull, he avoided a suspended jail sentence after agreeing an out-of-court settlement with the victim.
Ten years later, he appeared in court, charged with assaulting his wife, Sophie Kumpen.
He was found not guilty of assault, but guilty of threatening Kumpen in text messages and of violating a previously issued restraining order.
He was fined and sentenced to three months probational, suspended prison sentence.
And in January 2012, he was arrested following accusations that he drove a car into his ex-girlfriend but was released two weeks later after the charge was withdrawn.
He has overseen his son’s career like a hawk and now, with a wedge drive between himself and Horner, it leaves Max Verstappen in an awkward position.
SKY SPORTSHorner could be seen waving his hands around and gesturing as he talked intently with Jos[/caption]
GettyHorner and Verstappen look stressed as they gear up for the race over the weekend[/caption]
Geri and her husband share sharing an intimate moment before the opening race of the season
SKY SPORTSHorner points at Jos during their exchange after the season opener[/caption]
Horner with F1 champ Max Verstappen after he won the season opener in Bahrain
The troubled couple stood next to Red Bull key shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya and his wife as they watched from the paddock