Christian Horner jokes Toto Wolff can only sign Max Verstappen’s father Jos Verstappen for Mercedes

Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen have had quite a few verbal run-ins this year.

Christian Horner jokes Toto Wolff can only sign Max Verstappen’s father Jos Verstappen for Mercedes

Toto Wolff(L) Max Verstappen with Jos Verstappen(R) and Christian Horner(inside the circle), all images via IMAGO

Red Bull emerged as the benchmark at the start of the 2024 season. However, allegations against its team principal, Christian Horner, spooled up rumors regarding the team’s star driver, Max Verstappen leaving the team. This intrigued Toto Wolff, who decided to cash in on the opportunity. However, even after multiple rounds of talks, the Brit has now made a sarcastic reply to Wolff’s attempts and recommended that he should hire Jos Verstappen instead.

During the Austrian marque’s home race, speculations were high regarding Max Verstappen‘s future with Red Bull. This pointed the bullet at Christian Horner regarding such rumors and the possible relationship between Jos Verstappen and Toto Wolff.

YouTube video

The Brit subsequently mocked the Wolff-Verstappen rumors with a sarcastic jibe.

FS Video
If he does want a Verstappen for next year, then I guess Jos[Verstappen] is potentially available.
Christian Horner said in an interview with PlanetF1

Horner discarded the possibility of the 26-year-old to move to Brackley. He then further stated that if the Austrian dearly wants to have Verstappen as a Mercedes driver next year, then he could put the reigning champion’s father in the esteemed role.

Woes continue on the other end of the Red Bull garage

While Horner battled allegations of Verstappen’s move to their arch-rivals, who subsequently took the sprint pole, Sergio Perez, on the other hand, qualified an underwhelming P7 in Sprint qualifying. A staggering 1.3 seconds behind his teammate.

Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen
Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

This subpar performance made the Mexican extremely furious.

Yeah, who cares, man? Who cares? This guy is such an idiot[Esteban Ocon].
Sergio Perez said over team radio

The 34-year-old was one of the last drivers who passed the chequered flag in a hurry to set a time. However, Perez shared an anger-charged message on the radio towards Esteban Ocon, whom he blamed for having impeded him.

Despite Perez’s frustration, the Alpine cars qualified behind him. The Mexican has a humongous task to climb up through the field in the sprint race with the shortened race distance. Moreover, with the European leg of the F1 season fully underway, the former six-time race winner has to get back in form, or else Red Bull could be in serious trouble in the constructor’s championship.

In case you missed it: