Max Verstappen has called for ‘peace’ in the Red Bull camp following a drama-filled start to the 2024 F1 season. This will serve as a clear message to his father, Jos, after he launched a second attack on team principal Christian Horner ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Jos went to the press to reveal details of a ‘blazing row’ between himself and Horner in the Bahrain Grand Prix paddock one week ago, claiming that the team principal’s position was becoming untenable and that he was risking tearing the team apart by refusing to step away from his role.
The 52-year-old then doubled down on those comments ahead of round two in Jeddah, telling the Daily Mail: “All these things that are going on are having an influence on Max.
“All we hear about is Horner and what happened with his situation. In the press conference, Horner gave the other day it was all about him and his problems when we should be talking about Max, the car, his performance and the race.
“I’ve already said I think it is causing problems if he stays. I think it’s too late for Christian to say ‘leave me alone’ but he has the support of the Thai owner so I think he will stay for the rest of the season. I said it would be bad if he stayed, it really isn’t good for the team, this whole situation.”
However, with the future of key ally Helmut Marko now looking more secure, his son was keen to put the off-track chaos behind him in the aftermath of Saturday’s race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Speaking about the drama off the track, Verstappen told Sky Sports F1: “Yeah I think everyone knows that it is important to have peace in the team and just focus on the driving aspect and performance aspect, so that’s what we try to do as a team.”
There was plenty for the Dutchman to celebrate on the racetrack in Saudi Arabia. He dominated proceedings from start to finish, leading home a second successive Red Bull one-two finish and moving into a commanding lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings.
Furthermore, Verstappen moved one step closer to breaking his own record and creating history. Carrying over his sensational form from the end of the 2023 campaign, the 26-year-old has now won nine successive Grands Prix.
