Red Bull team principal Christian Horner confirms discussions have been held in recent days as he responds to comments made by Jos Verstappen.
The 50-year-old has also called for a line to be drawn under the saga which has clouded Formula One since the beginning of February.
Christian Horner has spoken publicly on comments made by Max Verstappen’s father
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Horner put on a united front with wife Geri Halliwell at the first Grand Prix of the season in Bahrain.
But Verstappen senior, father of the three-time back-to-back world champion Max, gave a scathing verdict on Horner.
Jos Verstappen claimed that Red Bull would ‘explode’ if the long-serving chief stayed, saying the team is ‘in danger of being torn apart’.
Horner spoke to the media for the first time since those comments on Thursday afternoon ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
He responded by insisting talks have taken place and that the team’s main focus is looking forward.
Horner said: “I’m obviously aware of the comments that were made. There was a discussion subsequent to the race and I think everybody’s focus is very much on the future.
“The team’s focus is very much on defending both of these world titles we have fought so hard to achieve.
“Our focus is very much on the future and, as I say, discussions took place following the race in Bahrain and we are all looking forward.”
Verstappen junior won in Bahrain as he seeks a fourth successive title, with team-mate Sergio Perez in second.
Horner wouldn’t divulge details of the talks that took place but says results such as last weekend’s wouldn’t happen unless there was ‘total harmony’ in a team.
He added: “I’m not going to air all the discussions that are private between the parties.
“Discussions have been inevitably had and the team is focused on the challenges ahead of us. The team is very focused on the season ahead.
“Whilst we had a very dominant race in Bahrain, we don’t expect that to be the case in future races. You don’t achieve the kind of results that we’ve had by not being a united team.
“To win the race by the margin that we did, you need to be working in total harmony to achieve those kinds of races.”
Max Verstappen said on Wednesday that his dad is not a liar and he wants to maintain a working relationship with him.
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Christian Horner has responded to comments made by Jos Verstappen
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Horner refused to say whether he thinks Verstappen’s father is too involved but insists the driver is ‘his own man’.
He said: “Obviously Max’s father has played a key role in his career and getting him to Formula 1. But obviously, Jos is his own man, Max is his own man too.
“We’ve seen him go from being a teenager when he joined us to now very much a young man that’s achieved what he has.
“It’s not for me to comment on relationships between fathers and drivers. They’re all unique between the different individuals.”
Horner’s accuser has reportedly been suspended by Red Bull but Horner says he is unable to comment.
Christian Horner and Red Bull are preparing for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
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He wants a line drawn under the saga, adding: “Obviously there’s been an awful lot of coverage surrounding this but one has to go back to the basis of a grievance was raised, it was fully investigated and it was dismissed.
“And from there, we move onwards. I think an awful lot was made out of this.
“Obviously it has been of great interest in different elements of the media for different reasons. The time now is to look forward and draw a line under it.
“The time now is to focus on what is going on on track and the performance of the cars and the drivers, and what the spotlight should be in the course of a Grand Prix weekend.”
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