Jos Verstappen concedes defeat to immediately oust Horner

Jos Verstappen has stated that he expects Christian Horner to stay in his Team Principal role “for the rest of the season” after voicing his frustration with the Briton.

Shortly after the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Verstappen launched an attack on Horner and insisted the team would be “torn apart” if he remained in position.

The comments came after Horner was cleared following an investigation into allegations made against him by a female employee.

The employee in question has since been suspended by Red Bull.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Verstappen Snr stated: “I sympathise with the woman, with all that she went through, but we will see what happens.”

Jos' son Max Verstappen has faced questions throughout the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend amid speculation the turmoil could lead to his exit from the team.

On Friday, Helmut Marko, whom Verstappen has pledged loyalty to, revealed he too could face suspension from Red Bull following the launch of a fresh investigation within the team.

Argument with Horner

Verstappen Snr conceded he had a row with Horner during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.

“That was earlier, on Friday, before the race,” said Jos, referring to pictures that surfaced during the weekend of the duo seemingly in a lively discussion.

“He was saying to me 'Do you trust me? I will do everything for your son' and we were talking with our hands, we didn't have a fight.

“But on Friday we did have an argument in the office, and I walked out but, in the trailer, he came up to me and said 'Congratulations, good race’.”

Amid the rift within the Red Bull squad, Jos has conceded Horner is unlikely to exit the team soon.

“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,” Verstappen Snr added.

“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.”