Max Verstappen backs father Jos after criticism of Red Bull chief Horner

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen (left) arriving with father Jos Verstappen before first practice ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen has defended his father Jos after he launched an acrimonious attack on the world champion’s Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner. Verstappen insisted his father was not a liar, apparently agreeing with him after he had claimed that Horner’s position with the team was now untenable.

At last week’s Formula One season-opening Grand Prix in Bahrain, Verstappen’s father had stated Horner’s continued presence in the team could lead it to “explode”.