Just before the engines roared to life at the Belgian Grand Prix, a moment of tension unfolded—not between drivers, but between two very familiar faces in the paddock.
Jos Verstappen, father of reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen, found himself squirming during a live broadcast when former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg unexpectedly dug into his past comments about Red Bull’s ex-boss, Christian Horner.
Horner’s Shock Departure Still Making Waves
Christian Horner was dismissed earlier this month after two decades leading Red Bull Racing.
During his time in charge, he turned the team from grid underdogs into motorsport titans, winning six constructors’ and eight drivers’ titles.
But despite that legacy, Horner’s exit was chalked up to “performance issues”—a corporate phrase that’s done little to ease the chatter around the real reasons.
The Scandal That Haunted the Team
Horner’s dismissal came over a year after he was investigated for allegations of sexual harassment and controlling behavior made by a female employee.
While two separate legal reviews cleared him—first during an internal inquiry and again after the woman’s appeal—the cloud over his leadership never fully lifted.
Back when the controversy first broke, Jos Verstappen made it clear he believed Horner had to go.
Reports even surfaced suggesting Jos had grown close to the woman at the center of the scandal, further straining his relationship with Horner, which insiders say was never particularly warm to begin with.
Playing Nice on the Grid… Until Rosberg Spoke Up
On the grid in Spa, Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle asked Jos a fairly routine question: how he and Max felt about the changes at Red Bull.
Jos gave a nonchalant answer, saying, “They decided to change, so I’m fine with everything—as long as it works.”
But then Nico Rosberg, standing nearby, brought the conversation to a boiling point.
He reminded Jos of his explosive statement from last year: “Horner needs to go because he’s going to destroy the team.”
Jos awkwardly tried to deflect. “That was a year ago. It’s different. I have nothing to say. It’s fine,” he mumbled.
Rosberg wasn’t done. “Now you’re quiet? You’re quiet now?” he pushed.
Jos, clearly uncomfortable, replied: “I’m always quiet.”
Max Verstappen Stays Focused on the Bigger Picture
Throughout the internal chaos at Red Bull, Max Verstappen kept his allegiance firmly with Helmut Marko—the advisor who had supported him from the start.
When Marko’s role came under threat during a messy power struggle with Horner in early 2024, Max made it clear where he stood.
And from that point forward, Horner’s influence began to wane.
There were also internal grumblings about how Horner had extended his reach too far across the organization, taking over areas like marketing, engine development, and technical operations—moves that some insiders saw as overreaching.
Max Speaks on His Future Amid Mercedes Rumors
Rumors continue to swirl that Max could make a surprise jump to Mercedes, despite being locked into a Red Bull contract until 2028.
But the four-time world champion has brushed off speculation that Horner’s departure has anything to do with his long-term plans.
“No, it doesn’t really,” Max said. “People can have differences of opinion now and then… but it won’t affect my decision.
The only thing that matters is making the car faster. That’s the focus.”