Peace between Horner and Jos Verstappen but for how long?

The Red Bull Content Pool - where the team provides large archives of images from every race weekend for media has images - (including the above photo and others in this piece) indicating that there is peace between Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen.

Several images show Jos and Horner deep in conversation others of them laughing together with Max, clearly comfortable in each other's company, starting on the weekend of the Brazilian Grand Prix. And again, similar vibes from the images of the pair together at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Peace is upon them or some Oscar-level acting going on in the Red Bullpen.

Earlier this year, when Red Bull famously lost their way, Jos, father of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, emerged as a highly vocal critic, openly placing blame for an "explosive" situation within Red Bull on team principal Horner.

The tensions, which had been simmering since late 2022, culminated during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. Reports suggested Horner had sought to consolidate power within the team at the expense of Red Bull's senior advisor, Helmut Marko, creating divisions within the organisation.

Jos became one of Horner’s most outspoken critics, saying at the time, “There is tension here while he remains in position. The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim when he is the one causing the problems.

Jos even suggested the RBR team boss should step aside to restore harmony within the Red Bull hierarchy, a stance exacerbated by the brain drain of Adrian Newey and other senior team members in the wake of the Horner 'sexting' saga.

Despite the apparent entente cordiale that exists now between the duo, Verstappen senior expressed no regrets about his earlier criticisms and suggested he understands the factors contributing to the team's apparent return to stability.

Known for his candid and forthright manner, quoted by several German media outlets, Jos has doubled down on his previous statements, maintaining that his actions were in the best interest of the team and his son Max.

Asked if his harsh words directed at Horner were regrettable, Verstappen senior insisted, “No, not at all. Of course, what the team boss does or doesn’t do has an influence on everything that goes on around the team. And therefore around Max.

"Of course, I get involved in that. I see it all happening, and I do think I am in a position to say something about it. If I am put on the spot, I will give my opinion. I will never harm Max. I look at the overall picture. In the end, I stand by everything I said.”

Verstappen’s remarks underline his commitment to safeguarding his son’s environment within the team while hinting at the broader challenges Red Bull faced earlier in the season.

With the team now seemingly moving past its internal discord, attention will turn to whether this stability can translate into sustained success on the track as the quest for Max's fifth straight F1 title begins

Clearly, Team Verstappen is happiest when Red Bull builds Max a car he enjoys driving (e.g., the Red Bull RB19), as history shows he will do the rest where others will falter in the same machine.

A good car for Bahrain F1 Testing will make Daddy happy, a bad car will certainly make Daddy unhappy, which would be a good time to revisit the status of the peace between Jos the Boss and Horner the Other Boss.