Expert makes up his mind

Schumacher: “If Horner stays, Verstappen goes”

Christian Horner (l.) and Max Verstappen

(Bild: APA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Dan Mullan)

Is Red Bull Racing in danger of losing its star driver in Max Verstappen? Formula 1 expert Ralf Schumacher is convinced: "If Christian Horner holds on to his seat with all his might, he will not only damage Red Bull, he will also ensure that Max Verstappen leaves the team."

After allegations were made against Horner that he had sent sex messages to a female employee, Jos Verstappen, the father of the Bulls' star driver, intervened in the matter. "The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can't go on like this. He is playing the victim, but he is the one causing the problems," the 52-year-old made clear.

Jos Verstappen (l.) attacked Christian Horner.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

"Destroys himself from the inside"
Although his son Max made it clear that he wanted to stay with Red Bull, Schumacher did not quite believe him: "I'm highly critical of that. What we have achieved at the moment is that the best team there has been in the last decade - with Mercedes - is destroying itself from the inside. I think Toto Wolff is a relatively happy onlooker. He can come out of this as the big winner." 

What the 48-year-old former driver means: Verstappen will sooner or later have had enough, pack his bags and sign on with Mercedes. The Dutchman would probably be welcomed with open arms at the Silver Arrows, with team boss Toto Wolff recently commenting on a possible switch with "anything is possible".

For now, however, Verstappen is hoping for peace and quiet. During the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the three-time world champion declared that he simply wanted to get through the weekend without any further drama. Will he get his wish ...