It comes amid uncertainty over Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future
NICO ROSBERG and Jos Verstappen shared a frosty exchange over Christian Horner’s Red Bull sacking.
Horner was axed as Red Bull team principal earlier this month following a string of woeful results and a lot of unrest at the team.
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Martin Brundle, Jos Verstappen and Nico Rosberg
It also came amid rumoured friction between Horner and Max Verstappen’s dad Jos.
Jos – who raced professionally from 1994-2003 – was probed about Horner’s exit by Martin Brundle at the Belgian GP.
Brundle asked: “Big changes in the team. Are you and Max and everybody happy with where it’s going so far?”
Jos replied: “Well, they decided to change so I’m fine with everything. So as long as it works.”
Former F1 champion Rosberg, working for Sky Sports, awkwardly gatecrashed the interview.
And he told Jos: “Last year, you said Horner needs to go!”
Jos replied: “That was one and a half year ago. It’s different. I have nothing to say. It’s fine.”
Rosberg then added: “Now you’re quiet?”
Jos responded: “I’m always quiet.”
Reigning world champ Verstappen still has three years left on his Red Bull deal but remains linked with a move to Mercedes.
But the Dutchman insisted Horner’s exit will have no bearing on his future with Red Bull.
He said: “No, it doesn’t really. Now, I think people can have a difference of opinion here and then.
“And I actually expect that to happen because if everyone always agrees, there is a problem. You need to have difference of opinions.
“And yeah, that’s now something that we work with in a different direction. I’m excited about it.
“Like you said, I don’t think it will matter at all for my decision in the future.
“And yet, the only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can make it, really.
“And like I said, the last one and a half years have not been what we want to be.
“Now we try and be more competitive this year a little bit, but for sure also with the new regulations.”
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Max Verstappen insisted Horner’s exit will have no bearing on his future with Red BullCredit: PA
