Max Verstappen’s father Jos will return to F1 for the first time since claiming Red Bull would ‘explode’ if shamed Christian Horner remained team principal, as the Dutchman is seen arriving for the Monaco GP

Jos Verstappen will return to an F1 race for the first time since telling Mail Sport that Red Bull could be “torn apart” if Christian Horner stays following the scandal that engulfed the team principal and organization.

In a development that could prove explosive and embarrassing this weekend in Monaco, Red Bull world champion Max Verstappen’s father is due to return home and was pictured arriving at the famous circuit on Thursday afternoon.

Horner, married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was cleared following a lengthy investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a colleague.

Verstappen Snr also previously said the situation would “explode” at Red Bull if Horner clings to his job.

In March he told Mail Sport: “There are tensions here as long as he remains in office.

Verstappen attends first race since saying Christian Horner staying in his job could tear Red Bull apart

“The team risks being torn apart. Things cannot continue like this. It’s going to explode. He’s playing the victim, even though he’s the one causing the problems.

The world’s eyes were focused on the storm surrounding Horner, 50, after sexual text messages he allegedly sent to a female employee came to public attention in a leaked email.

The leak came 24 hours after an investigation by Red Bull’s parent company in Stuttgart cleared Horner of “coercive behavior” towards the colleague.

Sports Mail previously revealed that Jos, a former teammate of Michael Schumacher, had a blazing row in Horner’s paddock office after qualifying for the season-opening race in Bahrain.

Verstappen, 51, left the heated meeting before returning to the room and reluctantly shaking hands.

According to his affiliates, Horner believes Verstappen Snr has orchestrated a campaign to unseat him in recent weeks, with the implication being that the Dutchman even took part in the email leak.

Max Verstappen will desperately need to put aside any distractions this weekend

Verstappen denied the claims, saying: “It wouldn’t make any sense. Why should I do that when Max is doing so well here?

The fallout has been significant and legendary Red Bull car designer Adrian Newey will leave at the end of the season and is expected to join Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next season.

Red Bull have already been beaten twice this season, once by Ferrari and then by McLaren’s Lando Norris in what appears to be a more open race for the championship.