Who knew when Red Bull GmbH pulled the curtains on their investigation into Christian Horner, the next few hours that followed would be the calm before another storm? In a move that almost confirmed someone in Red Bull wants Horner out, several senior F1 personnel received an anonymous email containing purported evidence. While Red Bull may have had a perfect on-track weekend in Bahrain, all eyes were on the team principal. And that narrative involved a certain Jos Verstappen, too.

In an interview with Daily Mail on race day at the Bahrain International Circuit, Jos Verstappen said, “There is tension here while [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.” Jos has always been involved in his son Max Verstappen’s career. Wanting what’s best for him, he believes the situation at Red Bull isn’t ideal currently.

“[Horner] is playing the victim when he is the one causing the problems,” added Jos. Remember how it was the Dutch media that revealed the accusations against Christian Horner all those weeks ago? Well, there were rumors that Jos Verstappen was somehow involved in that. But when Daily Mail asked him if he had a role in all this, including the email leak, he clarified, “That wouldn’t make sense. Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here?”

F1 journalist Jon Noble reported this for Motorsport.com and wrote on X, “Big escalation in situation at Red Bull tonight as Jos Verstappen calls on Christian Horner to step down.” 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill reposted the tweet and claimed, “So at least that’s one part of the riddle cleared up…..” It’s unclear what exact part of the Horner investigation riddle the tweet clarified, and Sky Sports presenter and former F1 driver Karun Chandhok felt the same. Replying to Hill’s tweet, he wrote, “Is it?? I’m still confused.” 

However, a Red Bull spokesperson recently said, “There are no issues here. The team are united, and we are focused on racing.” Considering what Verstappen Sr. had to say about tensions in Red Bull, Damon Hill’s tweet could possibly point to how the team may not be as united as it may seem. Hill added, “Still more bits to come, I fear.” 

It’s important to note that on Friday night, Horner and Jos Verstappen were seen engaging in a heated argument inside the Red Bull motorhome. Although the Dutchman reportedly apologized later, ESPN confirmed that he will not be in Jeddah for the Grand Prix this weekend. Further reports suggest that Verstappen Sr. told people close to him that Max could leave Red Bull if Horner were to stay. While his father made his stance on the Red Bull Team Principal clear, what did Max Verstappen have to say?

Max Verstappen believes Christian Horner is an “incredible team boss”

The three-time champion has practically grown up under Christian Horner’s guidance. Having joined the team midway through the 2016 season, they’ve spent almost eight years working together. Considering their close bond, Max Verstappen was asked multiple times over the course of the Bahrain GP weekend about his thoughts on Horner and the investigation. However, he refrained from commenting on the controversy and instead talked about Horner’s leadership.

“When I look at how Christian operates within the team, he has been an incredible team boss. So absolutely, from the performance side of things, you can’t even question that. So that’s what I’m also dealing with,” said Verstappen. There are also reports that FIA President Mohammad Ben Sulayem asked Verstappen to publicly back his team boss.

Per Daily Mail, “According to an observer standing close by [when they were conversing], Ben Sulayem told Verstappen: ‘You must publicly back Christian.’” But Verstappen didn’t seem too convinced with the advice. Throughout the weekend, the Dutchman gave only qualified support to Horner. When asked if he has faith in Horner’s leadership, he said, “From the performance side of things, you can’t even question that. So that’s what I’m also dealing with.”

Read More: Christian Horner Grilled by Ex-F1 Boss: “Does Anyone Seriously Think That the Employee Made Up Accusations?”