Martin Brändl: This is all quite cruel…

      Martin Brundle, a former Formula 1 driver and now a popular commentator on Sky Sports, accused Max Verstappen's entourage of continuing to "throw hand grenades" even after Christian Horner's dismissal from all positions at Red Bull Racing.

      Neither side has yet explained the reason for Horner's early termination of his contract, which was scheduled to run until 2030, but one version suggests it was an attempt to keep the Dutch driver in the team.

      Brundle believes that Yos Verstappen, father of the four-time world champion, is somehow involved in the story and has repeatedly expressed the opinion in the press that Horner should not be the team leader.

      When discussing the role of Max Verstappen Sr. during a Sky Sports F1 podcast, Brundle said: "I don't know, but it’s quite clear that Verstappen's camp has been throwing hand grenades for several months, and some of them continue to explode. All of this is rather harsh.

      And I believe Yos, Max's father, has clearly indicated several times that, from his point of view, Christian should not lead this company and team.

      So I would agree with the statement that these people played a key role in Christian's departure. But it’s worth adding that if you weren’t in the room where things happened behind closed doors, you don’t have reliable information.

      However, I know for sure — I have seen and heard things myself — so I have to think that these people had some involvement in the decision regarding Horner."