Jos Verstappen has accused Red Bull team principal Christian Horner of effectively sabotaging his plans to drive in this weekend’s Legends Parade at the Red Bull Ring.
Verstappen, the father of three-time F1 champion son Max, was due to drive the 2012 RB8 that powered Sebastian Vettel to the third of his four successive F1 drivers’ titles he won with the team that year.
The Legends Parade has become an annual event over the Austrian Grand Prix weekend that sees several famous cars and drivers take to the Spielberg track for show laps.
Verstappen Sr, however, claims his run has been effectively blocked by Horner, and so has decided to withdraw himself from the event.
“Over the past few days, I’ve heard from multiple sources that Christian Horner has done everything he can to keep me from driving, and to make sure nothing would be filmed,” he said, speaking to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
“Then I think, ‘Say it to my face’. This is not the way it has to be for me. I find it very disappointing.”
The two men have been at odds with one another since allegations arose surrounding Horner’s private life that sparked an internal investigation by Red Bull’s parent company after which the Englishman was cleared.
Verstappen Sr said he wanted Horner removed from his position, and that the team was “in danger of being torn apart” if he remained in office.
After being approached by RacingNews365, Red Bull has declined to comment.