Max Verstappen's 'private messages' to Christian Horner have been revealed following Red Bull's first-ever grand prix without the team principal.
Red Bull confirmed that Horner would be leaving the team after 20 years following the British Grand Prix, with the team currently fourth in the F1 constructor standings.
The specific reason for Horner's departure remains a mystery, but Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater claimed the strained relationship with Team Verstappen played a role.
"The other aspect to all of this has been the uneasy relationship between Horner and the Verstappens, particularly Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen’s father," Slater explained.
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Verstappen and his camp have denied any role in Horner's sacking, with the World Champion doubling down that it was fully the team's decision in Spa.
"At the end of the day, they run the team. And I'm the driver, so whatever they decide is fully within their right to do what they want," he told the media in Spa.
Max Verstappen's 'private messages' to Christian Horner
The 27-year-old's claims may well be true, as it has been revealed by Journalist Nate Saunders that Verstappen has been in regular contact with Horner since Silverstone.
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“And from I understand, this is what’s quite interesting about it is, it does sound like Christian has had quite a lot of messages from Max since he got fired, supportive messages," said Saunders via ESPN’s Unlapped podcast.
“I think that a lot of people hear that Jos Verstappen and Christian Horner didn’t get on and somehow equate that maybe means that Max didn’t get on. I think Max and him actually had a very good relationship. He referred to Christian Horner as second family.”
Horner's exit came amid significant rumours linking Verstappen to Mercedes; however, a deal now looks dead with George Russell set to sign a new deal at the team.
Despite Toto Wolff confirming he'd be open to pairing Russell with the Dutchman, the Austrian insisted his priority is still Kimi Antonelli ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.
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Verstappen will be hoping to push himself back into championship contention this weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Topics: Max Verstappen, Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing, Formula 1, Motorsport, George Russell
Tom Jenkins