Purple Bull Formulation 1 crew principal Christian Horner has denied meddling in a deliberate demo run for Jos Verstappen that has triggered the most recent flashpoint between the pair.
Verstappen Sr. induced a stir on Friday when he accused Horner of transferring to dam his deliberate involvement within the annual Legends Parade on the Austrian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman had been set to hitch fellow ex-F1 drivers like Gerhard Berger, David Coulthard and Emerson Fittipaldi within the demonstration run deliberate for Sunday, taking the wheel of a 2012 RB8 automotive.
However Verstappen has claimed that he had been pressured to tug out as a result of Horner didn’t need him to be filmed.
Talking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Verstappen mentioned: “Over the previous few days, I’ve heard from a number of people who Christian Horner did every part he might to ensure I did not drive.
“And to in any other case make sure that nothing can be filmed. Then I feel: say it to my face. This manner I don’t need to do it anymore, I discover it very disappointing.”
He additionally added to the web site of Dutch journal Formulation 1: “I’m fully completed with him. It seems like a kindergarten. I might have pushed, however I pulled out.
“I discover this so infantile of Horner. It says one thing about him, I feel.”
Helmut Marko, Advisor, Purple Bull Racing, Jos Verstappen
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Requested for his model of occasions, Horner insisted that there had been no refusal from his aspect of Verstappen being concerned within the run.
“The Legends Parade is one thing that’s organised by the circuit,” he mentioned. “There was no veto from my aspect or something like that. And I am positive the legends might be in motion later.”
Verstappen’s criticisms of Horner have triggered contemporary discuss of tensions inside the Purple Bull camp between the 2 males.
After the Bahrain Grand Prix earlier this yr, Verstappen famously warned that Red Bull risked falling apart if Horner stayed on board.
Pushed on how his relationship was with Jos now, Horner intentionally steered away from stirring issues up much more.
“I’ve by no means had a problem with any of our drivers’ fathers prior to now, and no matter Jos’ points are, I’ve actually received nothing to touch upon.”
Horner went on to counsel that he finally didn’t care a lot for a way issues performed out with Verstappen Sr., as all that mattered to him was how nicely crew members labored collectively.
“My curiosity is within the efficiency of the crew,” he mentioned. “We’ve got an exquisite crew and we [have] received nice drivers.
Christian Horner, Workforce Principal, Purple Bull Racing, within the Workforce Principals Press Convention
Picture by: Mark Sutton
“In Max, we have the very best driver on the earth and he got here to our crew as a younger man. And he is grown and grown in stature. He is grown as a driver and as a human being.
“The best way he conducts himself, the best way he works with the crew is excellent. And that’s my key curiosity.”
He added: “You may’t management every part in life. I am unable to management relationships with drivers’ fathers, however my focus is on the efficiency of our drivers and efficiency of our crew. And that is the place it is going to stay.”