Max Verstappen is 'going crazy' behind the scenes as the Christian Horner saga continues to cast a cloud over Red Bull's plans for the new F1 season, reports claim.
The team are preparing for the first race of the new campaign in Bahrain today, with Horner continuing to work as team principal.
The Red Bull chief was cleared of misconduct earlier this week.
However, his WhatsApp messages to an employee have been leaked to 149 figures associated with the sport - meaning his long-term future with the team remains shrouded in uncertainty.
Max Verstappen is said to be 'going crazy' behind the scenes at Red Bull as Christian Horner saga goes on
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Horner continues to deny the allegations and said earlier this week: “I won’t comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations.
"I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way.
“It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister and it has concluded, dismissing the complaint made.
"I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”
It has previously been claimed Verstappen was 'neutral' over the Horner situation.
But Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf say the 26-year-old has been 'going crazy' behind the scenes, with his anger rising while the process goes on.
Verstappen has previously pledged his loyalty to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko instead of to Horner, it's claimed.
Horner reportedly wants to take on more responsibility at Red Bull following the death of Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.
There are some, however, who feel the 50-year-old is a pawn in a wider struggle at the energy drinks company.
Horner and Verstappen will be in the spotlight today when the Bahrain Grand Prix commences.
Verstappen will be the favourite to win that race, especially after finishing in pole position in qualifying on Friday.
Meanwhile, an insider has told The Sun that Horner's wife, Geri Halliwell, has shut out the other members of the Spice Girls.
It's claimed she is struggling after her husband's messages were leaked, with Horner always privately denying the allegations.
“This is humiliation on an international scale for Geri, and it’s almost impossible to imagine what she’s going through right now," they're quoted as saying.
“Christian has always privately asserted that the claims levelled against him were nonsense.
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Christian Horner and Max Verstappen are in Bahrain ahead of today's Grand Prix
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“She’s not the type of woman to go through someone’s phone, so to see these in black and white after all his protestations of innocence is utterly devastating.
“Geri has been bombarded with messages of support, and texts checking in on her, but she’s largely shutting everyone out, and simply trying to put one foot in front of the other."
They added: “Of course, to leave Christian — and walk away from the blissful life they’ve built for themselves — would be the ultimate act of ‘girl power’.
“But as anyone with kids knows — not to mention a hinterland of love and connection — that is easier said than done.”
Verstappen, meanwhile, said he was happy with his performance in qualifying on Friday.
Christian Horner is focused on his Red Bull duties with a flying start eyed for today's Bahrain Grand Prix
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He said: "It was a lot of fun. The track had a lot of grip but with the wind the last two days, it was tricky to get the whole lap together.
"It was the same in qualifying. To really get everything out of it in Q3 was a little more difficult but I'm very happy to be on pole.
"It was a little bit unexpected but luckily in qualifying the car came to us and I felt a bit happier with the whole car."
