Christian Horner spotted in animated exchange with Jos Verstappen at the Bahrain Grand Prix... after the father of triple world champion Max said Red Bull would 'EXPLODE' if Geri Halliwell's husband remains as team principal

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen's father Jos were seen on TV in the middle of a heated conversation at the Bahrain Grand Prix - with internet rumours swirling about why the two F1 giants appeared to be rowing.

The warring men were seen having an expressive discussion yesterday after Mail Sport reported that they had a blazing row after qualifying on Friday night. 

Jos, who was also seen speaking to Ferrari boss Toto Wolff last night, has insisted that Red Bull would 'explode' if Horner remains as team principal after messages and pictures the Red Bull team principal sent to a female employee were leaked. He says Christian is playing the victim.

What Christian and Jos were discussing in a team trailer remains a secret - although Horner was clearly agitated and seen pointing outside and waving his hand around. Jos had his hands in his pockets. 

The footage has sparked wild speculation online about what the apparently fiery conversation entailed. Many believe it is a hint that three-time world champion Max Verstappen could try to force a move to Ferrari and join Lewis Hamilton if Horner holds on to his £8million-a-year job. There is also an empty seat at Mercedes when Lewis leaves at the end of 2024. 

Others have suggested Jos could have been defending the female employee or telling Christian that he should fall on his sword, with Mr Horner explaining why he is refusing to.

His Dutch maestro son Max has refused on four occasions in press conferences over the past weekend to offer Horner unconditional backing. Insiders have said he is believed to be in general support of his father's stance.

Horner was cleared last Wednesday of 'coercive behaviour' towards the woman following an investigation. His wife Geri Halliwell flew to Bahrain to be with him and even kissing him in full view of the cameras in an extraordinary show of support for her under-fire husband.

Christian Horner was seen having an animated discussion with Max Verstappen's father, Jos, in the Red Bull motorhome during the weekend of the Bahrain Grand Prix

Both Verstappen and Horner were seen waving their arms about during their behind-closed-doors discussion

Internet sleuths have gone into overdrive pondering what the discussion was about

Horner, the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, is facing further heat after screenshots of a text conversation allegedly between the 50-year-old and the employee that made 'coercive behaviour' allegations against him were leaked via an anonymous email

Christian and Geri Horner kiss before the Bahrain Grand Prix

Jos (right with his son Max) told Mail Sport that Red Bull would 'explode' if Horner kept his team principal role

However, screenshots of a text conversation allegedly between the 50-year-old Horner and the employee that made the allegations were leaked via an anonymous email. 

The email was sent to leading F1 figures and contained 79 documents that included some messages of a sexual nature. 

The heat on the beleaguered team principal's future continues to rise going into this weekend's race in Saudi Arabia.

Footage captured by Sky Italy, show the pair deep in conversation inside the Red Bull motorhome, with Horner seen pointing outside and waving his hand around.

Verstappen briefly waves his hand around, but spends most of the conversation with his hands inside his coat pockets. 

ESPN have reported that Jos will not attend the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend following comments he made about Horner.  

Mail Sport revealed on Saturday how Jos, a former team-mate of Michael Schumacher, had a blazing row in Horner's paddock office after qualifying on Friday night.

Verstappen, 51, walked out of the fiery meeting before returning to the room and shaking hands. 

According to his affiliates, Horner believes Verstappen Snr has orchestrated a campaign to unseat him for the past few weeks, the implication being that the Dutchman even had a hand in the email leak.

'There is tension here while he (Horner) remains in position,' Jos exclusively told Mail Sport. 

'The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can't go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.' 

Horner was seen alongside wife Halliwell as they watched the podium celebrations after Red Bull took a 1-2 victory led by Max Verstappen at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix

Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell hold hands in a public display of unity at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday

Verstappen (right) reportedly won't attend the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. 

Horner kissed his wife in full view of the assembled cameras before leaving for the grid

The Telegraph, reported that Verstappen's dad has told friends his son will move on from Red Bull if he has to.

Verstappen Snr was seen speaking to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff during the weekend of the Bahrain Grand Prix. 

Mercedes have an empty seat for the 2025 season, though Verstappen is contracted at Red Bull until 2028 and is currently driving for the dominant team in Formula One.  

Jos Verstappen denies the claims, saying: 'That wouldn't make sense. Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here?' 

Triple world champion Max already looks on course for a fourth consecutive title after dominating the Bahrain Grand Prix, in a Red Bull 1-2 from team-mate Sergio Perez. 

Though the team's on-track performance gave Horner something to smile about, there is still a lot to contend with off-track,. 

Despite the controversy, Horner is confident he will remain in charge for the entire season

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem reportedly asked Max Verstappen to back Horner in public - though a source said the Dutchman wasn't convinced by the advice

Halliwell was on a flight to see her husband ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix when the messages were leaked. She shared a kiss with Horner in full view of the cameras in a show of solidarity on race day. 

The team principal was also seen stood next to his wife of nearly nine years as they watched the podium celebrations on Saturday. 

Halliwell is holding 'crisis talks' over Horner's alleged leaked text messages and did not want to meet her husband in Bahrain until she was talked into it by his family, sources claimed.

Though there has been a showcase of unity involving him and his wife, Horner is facing pressure from other directions.  

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem broke his silence on Friday, telling the Financial Times that the controversy that has been surrounding Horner is 'damaging to the sport... this is damaging on a human level'. 

Mail Sport previously reported that Ben Sulayem implored Horner's star driver Verstappen to publicly back the Red Bull team principal in a chat after qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday.

The triple world champion, who took pole and went on to win the race in Bahrain, was seen in discussion with motor racing's most senior figure in parc ferme. Both men hid what they said behind their hands.

But according to an observer standing close by, Ben Sulayem told Verstappen: 'You must publicly back Christian.'

Another source said that Verstappen wasn't entirely convinced by the advice. The Dutchman was equivocal when asked about Horner in the press conference afterwards.

After victory, Horner said: 'I am not going to comment on the motives whatever person may have for doing this.'

Asked if he would be in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for next weekend's race and the whole season, he said: 'Absolutely. I've always been confident I'll be here.' 

He added: 'I'm not going to comment on what motives whatever person may have. My focus is on this team, my family, my wife and going racing and winning races.'

When asked if he was confident he will remain in his position for the season, he said: 'Absolutely 100 per cent.

'There was a full lengthy internal process that was completed by an independent QC. The grievance that was raised was dismissed. End of. Move on. I've always been entirely confident that I'll be here.'