George Russell fires explosive accusation at Max Verstappen and dad Jos | F1 | Sport
George Russell claims Max Verstappen and his father, Jos, were attempting to oust Christian Horner before Red Bull dismissed their team principal last year. The British driver has implied that speculation surrounding Verstappen’s potential switch to Mercedes was merely a tactical manoeuvre designed to apply pressure and force change.
Rumours about the four-time world champion’s availability delayed Russell’s contract renewal, with Mercedes only finalising a new deal after Verstappen pledged his future to Red Bull for the 2026 campaign. Verstappen’s commitment arrived three weeks after the team decided to part ways with Horner, and Russell’s fresh Mercedes agreement subsequently materialised two-and-a-half months afterwards.
In a forthcoming episode from series eight of ‘Formula One: Drive to Survive‘ on Netflix, Russell states: “The Verstappens clearly have a lot of power in that team [Red Bull], they like to manipulate situations quite a lot.
“For whatever reason, they don’t like Horner, and they are trying to get Horner out. I wonder if all of this [the Verstappen to Mercedes rumour] is a bit of a play and a stir, trying to put pressure on Red Bull, that he’ll only continue there if Christian is gone.
Nevertheless, Horner clears the Verstappens of responsibility following his departure. He acknowledges during the show’s new season: “[Max Verstappen‘s] father has never been my biggest fan; he’s been outspoken about me.”
Verstappen senior demanded Horner’s departure in March 2024, following Red Bull’s decision to clear their team principal of any misconduct after investigating allegations levelled against him. In the wake of this, Jos Verstappen said: “It cannot continue this way; the situation is not good for the team and is driving people apart.
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He also told the Daily Mail: “There is tension here whilst 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.
Horner, nevertheless, insists: “I don’t believe that the Verstappens were responsible in any way. Red Bull’s veteran team principal reflected: “It was all rather sudden, I didn’t really get the chance to say a proper goodbye.
“I think this was a decision that was made by Oliver Mintzlaff with [Marko] Helmut advising from the sidelines. Mintzlaff serves as Red Bull’s managing director, whilst Helmut was the team’s long-serving motorsports adviser before stepping down at the conclusion of last season.
Horner says: “I think ultimately things changed within the business, within the group. The founder died, and after Dietrich [Mateschitz]’s death, I think probably I was deemed to have maybe too much control.”
