Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has apologised for using offensive language over the team radio at the Portuguese Grand Prix. Verstappen shrugged it off, but has now issued a public apology before this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. “It happened in the heat of the moment,” Verstappen said. Verstappen was spoken to by his team about the offensive language in Portugal last weekend, and team boss Christian Horner said Red Bull “don’t condone” the remarks. Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko added on German television that the team had advised Verstappen the remarks he used were not acceptable. Verstappen made the comments straight after he and Stroll collided at the first corner following a misunderstanding in second practice at the Autodromo do Algarve. Verstappen dived for the inside of Stroll at Turn One but the Racing Point driver turned in and they hit each other. Horner has made it clear that Red Bull will look outside their driver programme for a replacement if they decide Albon should be dropped. Horner said: “Its Alex’s seat and he’s got his bum in the car and everyone wants him to retain that seat. Horner said Red Bull had been working to address the rear instability problem that has affected Albon’s attempts to close the gap on Verstappen.

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