MY DAD A LIAR? A LOAD OF BULL
Max defends father over Horner quit comments
MAX VERSTAPPEN insists his father “is not a liar” as he defended him over his blazing row with Christian Horner.
Fierce tensions between the pair (right) spilled over in Bahrain and
Jos Verstappen called for Horner to resign, accusing the team principal of playing the victim.
Verstappen junior faced intense questioning over the fallout ahead of Saturday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Asked if his father regretted the comments, the 26-year-old said: “I have not asked him that but my dad, from how I know him from go-karting, is very outspoken, and he is not a liar, that is for sure.
“That is what I can say about things.
My dad and I are very close. We call every day. At the other end, I am not the guy who likes to speak a lot about certain stuff and I just want to focus on the driving.”
The reigning champion refused to entertain speculation that his father may have leaked Whatsapp messages and photos that Horner allegedly sent to a Red Bull employee. Horner denies the accusations.
“The only one who knows that is my dad himself,” Verstappen said.
“People will make up and speculate and think they know why he said certain things, but he is the only one who knows. “Social media is there to speculate and make up stuff and there is not much I
can do about that. I am not angry about that because I know what my dad is and how he is like.”
Despite the breakdown in relations,
Verstappen believes the situation can be repaired. “There are things that can be worked out,” he added. “Everyone is man enough and respectful enough anyway.”
Verstappen also addressed speculation linking him with a sensational move to Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton.
After his row with Horner, Jos was seen chatting with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
“I’m very happy with the team. The performance is there. There’s no reason to leave,” he
said.