Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has confirmed that a conversation took place between Mercedes chief Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen's father, Jos, to request his son stay clear of the title battle which is likely to play out ahead of him this weekend.
The Brazilian Grand Prix could decide the championship if Nico Rosberg wins the race, no matter where Lewis Hamilton finishes, therefore external factors, such as a rival getting involved in the title battle, could have huge consequences.
With both Red Bull drivers insisting they won't give Rosberg and Hamilton an easy time if they find themselves in a position to challenge for the win, it was revealed that Wolff had in fact called Verstappen's father to request his son 'play safe' on Sunday, after Verstappen and Rosberg banged wheels in Mexico.
That reportedly didn't go down well with either Verstappen or Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, whilst Horner described Wolff's comments "total rubbish".
"Jos told me when he got here on Thursday and I was a bit surprised that Toto was calling another father's driver from a rival team," Horner told Sky Sports F1.
"I think Jos was a bit surprised when he put the phone down to Toto that not only was he commenting on behalf of Mercedes, but Ferrari as well, that the way Max was conducting himself wasn't winning himself any favours and that he should wind his neck in.
"I've never heard of a team principal calling up other drivers fathers before, but obviously Toto felt the need to."
When asked how he felt about the comments, Horner said: "It's total rubbish to be honest. If Toto wants to have a race just for his drivers this weekend, we can do that at 11am tomorrow and we can have the grand prix at 2pm, where everybody can race.
"It's not like Max is a backmarker, the guys – both Max and Daniel – will be doing the best they can for the best result they can and that's what we're paying them for," he added.
"Of course there is a world championship battle going on, but that's between those relevant drivers and our interest is to as best we can in this race, as in any other."
Marko added that he was surprised by such interference: "If Mr Wolff wants something from us, then he should contact the people in charge at Red Bull, not [Max's] father," he told Auto Motor und Sport.
"I have never experienced interference such as this before."
