Formula One expert Ralf Schumacher believes that Christian Horner‘s refusal to leave Red Bull Racing will result in star man Max Verstappen quitting the team.

Horner was cleared of ‘coercive behaviour’ towards a female employee, though screenshots of a text conversation allegedly between the pair were leaked a day after via an anonymous email.

The husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, faced fresh turmoil after allegations were published in a bombshell 19-page investigation that named his accuser, while footage has emerged of the beleaguered F1 boss having a row with Jos Verstappen – father of his star driver Max.

Verstappen Snr exclusively told Mail Sport that the team would ‘explode’ if Horner remained at the head of the team. ‘He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.’ He added.

Schumacher, a former Formula One driver and brother of sporting legend Michael, shares a similar philosophy and is convinced Horner will drive away the three-time world champion.

Former Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher (pictured) is convinced Christian Horner remaining at Red Bull will drive Max Verstappen away

Jos Verstappen (right) has been the most vocal critic of Horner in recent days, while Max has defended his father and insisted he is honest

Red Bull team principal Horner (pictured) was seen in Jeddah ahead of the Saudi Grand Prix

The beleaguered Red Bull boss has been fighting for his job this month amid a texting drama

Geri Halliwell and Horner made a very public show of unity at the Bahrain GP last weekend

‘If Christian Horner holds on to his seat with all his might,’ he told Austrian outlet Kronen Zeitung. ‘He will not only damage Red Bull, he will also ensure that Max Verstappen leaves the team.’

The tensions within the team highlighted by Jos Verstappen raised speculation that Max could not only be on his way out of Red Bull but may even opt for a switch to bitter rivals Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton vacating his seat in 2025.

Jos dined with the Mercedes team principal last week in Bahrain ahead of the opening race and was then seen in dialogue with the German during the weekend event.

Ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend Max made a passionate defence of his father, who he said is ‘not a liar’.

Schumacher reckons Wolff is the big winner of the Red Bull infighting and predicted the 52-year-old would be delighted at what is unfolding at the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff dined with Verstappen Snr ahead of the Bahrain GP and was then seen talking with the Dutchman during the race weekend

‘I see it very critically,’ he added. ‘What has been achieved at the moment is that the best team that has existed in the last decade – with Mercedes – is currently destroying itself from the inside.

‘I think Toto Wolff is there as an onlooker with relatively great joy. He can come out of this as a big winner.’