Horner says Jos Verstappen’s personality sometimes caused friction at Red Bull

Christian Horner says Jos Verstappen’s outspoken personality sometimes caused friction at Red Bull. The former team principal said he represented Red Bull and sometimes disagreed with Max Verstappen’s father; those disputes, he said, added to the drama. Managing dynamics across the organization and with the media, sponsors and commercial side was part of the role, he added.

Speaking on the Up to Speed podcast, Horner said Jos’s F1 background and the enthusiasm for Max in the Netherlands gave him a prominent voice. He likened Jos’s public profile to that of then-adviser Helmut Marko, saying a remark from either could reach the front page of a newspaper.

Jos regularly accompanied Max to races early in his career, though less often in recent years. Horner said Jos had at times helped keep Max in check during the younger driver’s formative years, while also being his biggest critic. Horner said Max valued his father’s opinion and probably still seeks his approval in everything he does. In Horner’s view, his father is the person Max most wants to impress.