The ongoing rivalry between McLaren's CEO Zak Brown and Red Bull's Team Principal Christian Horner has become a central focus in the world of Formula 1. An open secret within the community has been confirmed by Brown, who acknowledges the palpable tension between the two. The recent season of Netflix’s Drive to Survive highlighted the heated relationship between the two racing team leaders. In an open conversation with The Telegraph, Brown eliminated any doubt about the authenticity of their rivalry. “There’s no denying; our rivalry is very real,” Brown admitted. “I don’t approve of his approach, and he probably feels the same way about me. However, I believe this benefits the sport. A variety of personalities and rivalries are essential. Some of these are friendly, based on sportsmanship, while others are more intense. That has always been the case.”
The rivalry between Brown and Horner has intensified as McLaren had a spectacular start to the F1 2025 season. Lando Norris, McLaren's driver, secured the team’s first victory at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, demonstrating a flawless strategy under unpredictable wet conditions. McLaren was on the verge of a one-two finish, but Oscar Piastri went into the grass due to the challenging weather conditions. Brown expressed his feelings about the triumph in Melbourne to Sky Sports F1: “It was an extraordinary drive. The team developed a perfect strategy under challenging conditions. I feel terrible for Oscar; he executed an exceptional race. Both drivers faced sudden rain simultaneously, but Lando managed it, while it was a bit tougher for Oscar. Oscar’s ninth-place recovery was impressive, but it was a collective team victory.”
Despite celebrating their victory, McLaren has no time to rest as they prepare for the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix in 2025. The tension between Brown and Horner shows no signs of dissipating, hinting at ongoing drama both on and off the track. Brown took a moment to commend his team's readiness for the race, stating, “The team performed exceptionally well. Every member at McLaren, men and women alike, built an impressive racing vehicle.” This revelation from Zak Brown underlines the fierce rivalry with Christian Horner and adds another layer of intrigue to the already captivating world of Formula 1. As we look ahead to future races, it’s clear that this battle is far from over, promising more exciting stories in the grand saga of the sport.
At a recent FIA Team Principals press conference in anticipation of the Chinese Grand Prix, representatives Oliver Oakes (Alpine), Zak Brown (McLaren), and Christian Horner (Red Bull Racing) gathered to discuss various topics, including a tribute to the late Eddie Jordan, former F1 team owner, who sadly passed away on March 20. Horner reminisced about Jordan, saying, “He was such a big character, an inspirational figure who took his team from Formula Ford to Formula 1. He will be sadly missed. My personal memories date back to 1991, when I first met him as an aspiring young racer. He was a larger-than-life character and the life of any party.” Brown echoed those sentiments, stating, “Eddie was a big personality, a proper racer. A lot of people in motor racing owe their career to him.”
On the current season trajectory, Brown mentioned, “It’s the first time since 2012 that McLaren has won the opening race. This adds pressure, but we’re always under pressure in Formula 1,” highlighting the high expectations following their victory. Interestingly, Lando Norris mentioned that the car is challenging to drive and does not suit his driving style, which adds another layer of complexity to McLaren's preparations. In contrast, Horner acknowledged McLaren's strong performance, stating, “They looked very quick in qualifying and particularly during the first half of the race in Melbourne.”
As the teams gear up for the Chinese Grand Prix, Brown continues to express confidence in his team and the drivers. “I think our drivers are in great shape, and the pit wall executed remarkably amid constant pressure.” Both Brown and Horner are in a unique position as they manage teams with significant expectations, particularly during this highly competitive season.
In a broader competitive context, Brown noted that while they are performing well, the focus needs to remain on the next challenges. “We’re prepared for the possibility of incidents on track, and the drivers have been reminded to race hard and fair. That’s essential to maintain the team’s unity and keep relationships healthy,” Brown cautioned, referring to past incidents involving driver clashes within teams.
As for Horner, he reflected on the challenges of maintaining competitiveness in the sport, especially in light of ongoing developments. “It’s a long race in terms of development, and we are all keen to keep progressing.” He seems aware that the dynamics of competition change rapidly, particularly with the emergence of both established and new drivers in the fray.
As the season continues, both team principals remain focused on the impending challenges. Whether it's handling the pressures of the sport, the evolving dynamics of their respective teams, or the public's expectations, the landscape of Formula 1 remains as dynamic and thrilling as ever. As fans anticipate more races and the rising tension between McLaren and Red Bull, it’s evident that the narrative of competition is only beginning to unfold.
