Nico Rosberg addresses tense Jos Verstappen Belgian GP exchange

Nico Rosberg has addressed his tense grid walk exchange with Jos Verstappen at the Belgian Grand Prix, clarifying his comments amid speculation surrounding Christian Horner’s departure from Red Bull Racing

Former Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg has addressed his tense exchange with Jos Verstappen during the Belgian Grand Prix grid walk.

Rosberg joined Sky Sports F1 presenter and former driver Martin Brundle's grid walk for the race at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend. As he approached Max Verstappen's father on the grid, Rosberg said, "Last year you said [Christian] Horner needs to go because it would destroy the team".

Verstappen quickly shut down the question, stating, "That was last year. It's different. I have nothing to say". The moment went viral on social media, prompting the German to respond during the Sky Sports F1 Show podcast.

“First of all, it's nice to see that people appreciated our entertainment, which is what it's all about, isn't it?" Rosberg explained. "The whole sport. That's what it's built on. Not that I do that on purpose. I just try and ask the questions that may be of interest.”

Red Bull announced on 9 July that Horner had been replaced as Red Bull Racing team principal and CEO with immediate effect. Racing Bulls team chief Laurent Mekies has stepped into the role, with the Belgian Grand Prix being his first race with the Milton Keynes outfit. When the news broke of Horner's abrupt exit, many speculated whether the Verstappens were involved with the decision, but it has now been indicated that they were not.

“I don't think it was the Verstappen camp being involved there in the exit," Rosberg continued. "It just feels like to me that Red Bull came to the conclusion that under Horner, too much talent was leaving the team. Too many of the key talents.

"And it seemed to be that you had this negative spiral that was kicking off at Red Bull in the last one and a half years. And that's why the time had come for a new era for Red Bull to reset, take more control and reset and rebuild again.”

Nico Rosberg, Sky F1, on the grid

Photo by: Mark Sutton

Four-time champion Max Verstappen confirmed following the announcement that it was a decision that came from management and the shareholders.

"At the end of the day, management and the shareholders decided that they wanted a change, and at the end of the day, they run the team, and I'm the driver," the Red Bull driver explained to the media.

"So, whatever they decide, it's fully in their right to do what they want. And that's basically how it happened.

"And at the same time now, sitting here, you look back at those 20 years of Red Bull, I think we've had a lot of great, great years, great, great results.

"Naturally, there are also years where it's not going that well, and I think the last one and a half years have not gone how we would have liked. And management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction, probably. And then everyone else has to agree to that and look forward."