MARTIN BRUNDLE SHARES MAX VERSTAPPEN SYMPATHY AS HE BLASTS 'VERY UNFAIR' AUSTRIAN GP DRAMA

Martin Brundle was not impressed with the sideshow involving Max Verstappen's father and Christian Horner at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Dutchman came home in fifth place after colliding with Lando Norris, who was forced to retire, while battling for the lead at the Red Bull Ring.

The race weekend was somewhat overshadowed by the latest instalment of the ongoing public spat between Horner and Jos Verstappen. The pair have been feuding since the start of the season after Horner was accused of 'inappropriate behaviour' towards a female colleague. He was later cleared by a Red Bull investigation after strenuously denying the allegations.

Last weekend, the elder Verstappen was due to take part in the Red Bull Legends Parade behind the wheel of the RB8, which Sebastian Vettel drove in 2012. However, he claimed he was blocked from taking part in the event by Horner before publicly calling out the Red Bull team principal.

"There was going to be filming, for example also with a drone, but Horner didn't want me to be filmed," said Jos. "I'm completely finished with Horner. It's like a kindergarten here. I find this so childish of Horner but I think it says something about him."

Horner went on to fire back at Jos while discussing Toto Wolff's interest in bringing Max to Mercedes, saying: "Of course, if he does want a Verstappen for next year, then I guess Jos is potentially available."

Writing in his latest column for Sky Sports, Brundle said it was 'unfair' that Max had to answer questions on the topic in his press conference and branded the whole thing 'unnecessary and childish'.

"I can't believe we're talking about this kind of thing, but it's relevant," wrote Brundle. "Blood relationship is more important than anything else and so Max Verstappen will always defend his father, just like others who have been around him for quite some time.

"It's all so unnecessary and childish and it's also very unfair to Max that he has to answer questions about this during the press conference, while he is simply preparing for the two races this weekend. They have achieved so much success together.

"Verstappen won every point, every podium, every victory and every championship with Red Bull. Simply because Verstappen is a genius in a racing car, Red Bull has earned a lot of money, money that was due to them and Verstappen. Why do they have to tarnish it with such childish things?"

There appears to be no end in sight to the feud between Jos Verstappen and Horner, which will continue to plague Red Bull's season until it is resolved. It remains to be seen if they will eventually patch things up, with Max tied down to the reigning champions until the end of 2028.

2024-07-02T08:46:46Z dg43tfdfdgfd