Inside axed Christian Horner’s tense relationship with Max Verstappen’s dad – as reports of ‘heated argument’ emerge

JOS AND CHRISTIAN AT LOGGERHEADS

Red Bull Formula One CEO Christian Horner and Max Verstappen's father Jos were allegedly caught up in a 'heated' argument in the days before Horner's shocking axing from the team, according to Ralf Schumacher. Pic: ANP Sport via Getty Images)

SHOCK DEPARTURE NEWS

Schumacher's jarring revelation comes following the news that a change to the ownership structure of the Red Bull team could have led to the 51-year-old's shock departure from his current role. Pic: Andrej Isakovic/AFP via Getty Images

LENGTHY LINE OF SUCCESS

The Royal Leamington Spa native served in his former role since the conception of the racing brand in 2005, leading the team to a lengthy process of success, with Red Bull going on to win six constructors' championships and eight drivers' championships. Pic: Clive Rose/Getty Images

WINNING STREAK ENDS ABRUPTLY

However, Horner's reign at the top of the Formula One pyramid came to an abrupt end last year when he was accused of sexual harassment and coercive and controlling behaviour by a female employee. It followed the revelation of several sexting accusations made against the CEO. Pic: Kym Illman/Getty Images

CRACKS START TO SHOW

As the scandal worsened for both Horner and his wife, Geri Halliwell, cracks began to form within the Red Bull team, with Jos Verstappen — a heavily influential figure — openly calling for Horner's dismissal from the team. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he added that the team was 'in danger of being torn apart' as long as Horner continued in his role. Pic: Kym Illman/Getty Images

TENSIONS START TO EASE

Tensions gradually eased among the team at Red Bull in the months following the scandal, with Horner remaining in his position and Max Verstappen claiming his fourth world championship. Racing pundit Schumacher contended that they had not disappeared completely. Pic: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

RALF'S SHOCK REVELATION

Claiming to have witnessed the pair sharing a tense moment between Horner and Verstappen, Schumacher confirmed that there had been a heated exchange in the days leading to Horner's shock sacking. Pic ROLF VENNENBERND/DPA/AFP via Getty Images

'JOS WAS UNHAPPY'

Speaking to the Boxengasse-podcast via the Sun, Schumacher said: 'There was another argument or a heated exchange, at least visually and verbally, between Jos Verstappen, Christian Horner and the press officer. You could see that Jos was anything but happy with the situation.'Pic: Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

'A BIT DIFFICULT'

The 50-year-old added that he found Horner to be 'a bit of a difficult' person, 'who had failed to keep the team together', but did admit that doing so would have been a difficult task for anybody. Pic: Clive Rose/Getty Images

'HE CAN'T DEAL WITH CRITICISM'

'He can't really deal with criticism,' Schumacher added. '(Sky Sports Germany) are, or I am, now, on a so-called black list, so he no longer talks to us or with me and such.  It's actually a joke, because a man who has won so much should be able to discuss it in front of the camera.' Pic: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME

However, this is not the first time the two have clashed; after the pair butted heads just over a year ago, they snapped in the middle of a fiery discussion at the Bahrain Grand Prix, at the peak of the sexting scandal. Pic: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

MORE HARSH WORDS

In the end, Verstappen's father came back and shook hands with Horner, but months later, after his son's winless streak was prolonged to five races at his home race, the Dutch Grand Prix, he once more had harsh words for the team. Pic: Mark Thompson/Getty Images

'I'M VERY UNHAPPY'

Speaking to German outlet BILD, Verstappen said: 'The good people are leaving the team. I'm very unhappy with what's happening. Max won't be satisfied with having a car like that. Now it's up to Horner to get the team back on track.' Pic: Kym Illman/Getty Images

'I WOULD BE SURPRISED'

Also asked at the time if he thought Horner could turn things around at Red Bull, he revealed that he didn't think the 51-year-old was up to the job, adding that he would be' surprised' if he could change things. Pic: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

EMOTIONAL FAREWELL

Following the news of his departure from Red Bull, Horner delivered an emotional farewell speech to colleagues and friends at Red Bull's headquarters in Milton on Wednesday afternoon, acknowledging that the 'baton' is being 'handed over', but he will continue to be involved with F1. Pic: Andrej Isakovic/AFP via Getty Images

HORNER PREPARE'S TO LEAVE

Speaking to former employees, he said: 'Yesterday I was informed by Red Bull that operationally I would no longer be involved with the business or the team moving forward from this gathering.' Pic: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

HORNER EXPRESSES SHOCK

The former CEO added that the news had come as a 'shock' as he stood and expressed his gratitude to the entire team in Milton Keynes. 'Watching and being part of this team has been the biggest privilege in my life,' he said. Pic: Mark Thompson/Getty Images