Jos Verstappen has decided to ‘back out’ of this weekend’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix after publicly criticising Christian Horner, according to reports.
The 51-year-old said over the weekend that Horner had been ‘playing the victim’, while also calling on the Red Bull team principal to leave the Fornula One side.
Horner continues to deny allegations of misconduct after being cleared of Red Bull last week and said ‘absolutely’ when asked if he’d be in charge for the weekend’s upcoming race.
Now, according to ESPN, Jos won’t be attending the event in the Middle East – having opted to ‘back out’ of the race while tensions boil over at Red Bull behind the scenes.
Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, is set to miss the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix amid Christian Horner chaos
GETTY
He has apparently made the decision due to the ‘narrative starting to shift towards him’.
Jos has been a regular in the F1 paddock over the years, with his son Max Verstappen dominating the sport.
Verstappen has won the last three Formula One titles and impressed in Bahrain on Saturday, cruising to victory in the first race of the new season.
The report says Verstappen has been ‘left in the position of needing to choose between his father and the head of the team’.
It has been claimed elsewhere that the Dutch driver privately supports his father following Jos’ brutal comments on Horner.
And F1 sources say this feeling has been ‘growing within the team for a while’.
Jos decided to criticise Horner in an interview with the Daily Mail, rocking those associated with the sport in the process.
He said: “There is tension here while he 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 the one causing the problems.”
Jos made the comments after he’d reportedly had a ‘blazing row’ with Horner following qualifying on Friday.
Horner insists he has the support of key figures at Red Bull at a time when alleged text and WhatsApp messages have been leaked.
He is yet to confirm or deny whether the material is genuine after an email was sent around to 149 figures associated with F1.
This included journalists and other team principals.
Horner is, however, confident of staying in charge of Red Bull for the race in Saudi – with the 50-year-old confirming his stance over the weekend.
Christian Horner continues to deny allegations of misconduct with the Red Bull chief continuing to work as normal
GETTY
More to follow.
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