Report: Jos Verstappen and Horner "heated exchange" at Silverstone

Ralf Schumacher, speaking on Sky Sports Germany's Boxengasse podcast, revealed that he witnessed at Silverstone: “There was another argument or a heated exchange, at least visually and verbally, between Jos Verstappen, Christian Horner and the press officer. You could see that Jos was anything but happy with the situation."

The new altercation comes just weeks after Jos told De Telegraaf that the long silence between himself and Horner had ended, stating, “There has to be mutual respect, and there is. I’m straightforward and say what I think. They just have to take that into account. I won’t change. Not for anyone.”

Six-time Grand Prix winner, Schumacher, criticised the internal dynamics at Red Bull: “For me, Christian Horner is also a bit of a difficult person. He just failed to keep the team together well, which is not always easy, of course. I also think his behaviour now… he can’t really deal with criticism.”

Schumacher also revealed that Horner has cut off communication with Sky Sports Germany: “We are, or I am now, on a so-called blacklist. So he no longer talks to us or with me. It’s actually a joke, because a man who has won so much should actually be able to discuss it in front of the camera.”

Jos Verstappen, who is reportedly close to the female employee at the centre of the sexting scandal that engulfed Horner in early 2024, had previously called for the team principal’s removal.

While Horner was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing and denied all allegations, the fallout triggered sustained internal friction and speculation about Max Verstappen’s long-term future with Red Bull.

Although Jos recently claimed “all sorts of things have happened, but that doesn't matter anymore,” the very public clash suggests the power struggle at Red Bull has no real winners as yet; however, the sacking of Horner as team boss on Wednesday makes him the biggest loser by far.