SPIELBERG, Austria — Red Bull team principal Christian Horner insists his relationship with Max Verstappen remains “very strong,” despite a new war of words with the reigning champion’s father, Jos.

Ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Jos Verstappen accused Horner of vetoing his plans to drive a demonstration run in a Red Bull RB8 during the annual Legends Parade at the Red Bull-owned circuit.

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“In recent days, I have heard from several sides that Christian Horner has done everything to not let me drive,” Jos Verstappen told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

“Then I think, ‘say it in my face’. This way, it doesn’t have to be for me, I find it very disappointing.”

In a separate interview with Formule1.nl he called Horner “childish,” adding that he is “completely finished” with the Red Bull team principal.

In response to the comments, Horner denied he had blocked Verstappen Sr. from taking part in the Legends Parade.

“Look, I’ve been made aware [of the comments],” he said. “The Legends Parade is something that is organised by the circuit.

“There was no veto from my side or anything like that. And I’m sure the Legends will be in action later.”

The relationship between Horner and Jos Verstappen broke down earlier this year after the Red Bull team principal was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female colleague — accusations Horner denied.

An internal investigation by Red Bull saw Horner cleared of wrongdoing, but in the aftermath of the controversy Verstappen said his presence at the team risked it being “torn apart.”

Asked if the public rows between the two this year had impacted his relationship with Max Verstappen, who leads the drivers’ championship for Red Bull by 69 points, Horner said: “The relationship with Max has always been very good, very strong.

“He’s a key part of our team. He’s our driver, he’s the one that is important obviously to have a strong relationship with.

“I’ve never had an issue with any of our drivers’ fathers in the past. Whatever Jos’s issues are, I’ve really got nothing to comment on.”

Horner was also questioned on the persistent rumours this year that Max Verstappen might leave his team for Mercedes.

When pressed on the issue during a press conference on Thursday, the three-time champion said he would remain at Red Bull in 2025 and Horner believes any suggestion otherwise is being created by Mercedes to distract from its poor run of form in recent years.

“Max is an important part of our team,” Horner said. “He’s had all of his victories and podiums in Red Bull Racing cars, his three world championships so far, and he’s a crucial member of the team.

“He enjoys being part of the team. He’s got a tremendous group around him. And we know what the future looks like. Obviously, a lot of noise has been made about him going elsewhere and sometimes, one just thinks that’s a distraction tactic that’s thrown in because you have to question what are the motives behind that.”

Horner also took a dig at Mercedes by pointing out that the driver market movement this year stemmed from Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari in 2025.

“The driver that’s created all the movement in the market had all the information about the engines and 2026 regulations and chose to leave and left the vacancy at Mercedes. That is why there has now been a little bit of speculation as to who will fill that seat. But it won’t be Max Verstappen.”