Max Verstappen defends father over Horner row after Austrian GP sprint win

Max Verstappen Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Formula 1/Getty Images

Max Verstappen has weighed in to defend his father Jos in his ongoing row with the Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, describing the situation as far from ideal for himself or the team, in comments that overshadowed his sprint race victory at the Austrian Grand Prix.

On Friday Verstappen’s father, Jos, accused Horner of being childish in claiming the team principal had vetoed him driving the 2012 Red Bull in the legends parade at the Red Bull ring this weekend. Verstappen Sr was furious, saying he was “completely fed up” with Horner.

The spat was the latest instalment in the all but irrevocably damaged relationship between the two men, which has been fractious and ill-tempered since Horner was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female colleague. The claims were dismissed by an internal investigation but Verstappen Sr, who had been rumoured to have been part of a plot to oust Horner, insisted Horner should leave the team before he tore it apart.

On Friday Horner emphatically denied he had vetoed Verstappen Sr driving the Red Bull. However Verstappen appeared to support his father’s version of events and said he believed the row was an unnecessary distraction.

“Naturally of course it’s not nice, not for myself, not for my dad, not for Christian, not for the team. Of course you don’t want these things to happen,” he said. “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.”

“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.”

Verstappen won the sprint race in Austria but only after the Red Bull driver had to endure a tight fight with the two McLarens of Oscar Piastri, who was second, and Lando Norris, who finished third. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were in fourth and sixth for Mercedes, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in fifth.

After a series of races where he has been pushed hard by Norris and McLaren, Verstappen, while he won at the Red Bull Ring, was once more again reminded that his huge early-season advantage has all but gone.

This is Verstappen’s 10th sprint race victory: after he won at the British Grand Prix in 2021 and at Imola and Austria in 2022, then in Austria, Belgium the US and Brazil last year and China and Miami at the previous rounds this season. He has been repeatedly critical of the format but has shown great command in it since it was introduced.

Verstappen held his lead into turn one leading from Norris and Piastri, however the Dutchman was unable to open a gap on Norris, who attacked him with no shortage of verve. By lap five the Briton was snapping at Verstappen’s heels and passed him into turn three for the lead, only for Verstappen to immediately fightback and retake the place at turn four.

Verstappen complained he was having issues with the charging of his battery but nonetheless by lap 14 managed to eke out a two-second lead on Piastri as the two McLarens eased up on their tyres after the aggressive pounding they had taken in the opening laps.

Norris moved up on Piastri but had no clear pace advantage on his teammate and the team did not move the Australian over, as Verstappen further extended his lead. He had done enough to take the line after 23 laps, 4.6sec seconds in front,. the moment when he Coming camestraight back at Norris proved absolutely vital in notching up another win but one that suggested the race on Sunday will be a tight fight at the front of the field.

With victory in the 100km dash, Verstappen now leads Norris by 71 points in the world championship. Charles Leclerc wa, third in the overall standings, finished seventh for Ferrari and, with Sergio Pérez eighth for Red Bull.