Verstappen airs 'not nice' verdict on latest feud

Max Verstappen believes the latest feud between his father Jos and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is "not nice" and "could have been avoided".

The three-time F1 champion again finds himself caught in the middle of a dispute involving the two men sparked by Verstappen Sr claiming Horner had tried to put a block on his plans to drive the 2012 RB8, that carried Sebastian Vettel to his third F1 title, in a Legends Parade at the Red Bull Ring. It resulted in him deciding to withdraw from the event.

Verstappen Sr later said he was "done with Horner", and suggested his son could yet leave Red Bull and drive for Mercedes. Horner has dismissed the claims, and has supported the younger Verstappen's assertion on Thursday that he will continue to be with the team next season.

Following his victory in the Austrian sprint, Verstappen was asked whether the continual dispute between the pair was having any effect on him personally.

"Naturally, of course, it's not nice - not for myself, not for my dad, not for Christian, not for the team, because you don't want these things to happen," he replied.

"My dad has been quite clear about the reason behind it, and of course, I can understand his opinion on that because at the end of the day he gets asked to drive the car, finds out that he's not wanted to drive the car.

"My dad, he doesn't care about driving the car, but he got asked, 'Please do it for the fans, the Dutch fans', blah blah.

"Red Bull, we have a great relationship with, home track, so I understand.

"At the other end, I'm here to focus on the performance side of things, so I want a good relationship with everyone.

"But, of course, this scenario could have been avoided."