McLaren's team leader claims F1 performs better without Horner's involvement.
In the world of Formula One, the rivalry between Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, and Christian Horner, former team principal of Red Bull, has been a significant and long-standing subplot. Known for their frequent public spats, media digs, and behind-the-scenes drama, this rivalry has been a major part of Formula One's politics over the past several years.
The intensity of this rivalry escalated as McLaren rose to prominence during a period when Red Bull and Horner were facing internal issues and performance declines. Brown expressed relief and optimism following Horner’s dismissal by Red Bull in 2025, calling the new leadership under Laurent Mekies “healthy” for the sport.
Brown was not surprised by Horner’s sacking amid “a lot of drama” within Red Bull over the preceding years, including investigations and controversies surrounding Horner, though the timing was unexpected.
Their rivalry is a mix of personal and professional competition, with Zak Brown often representing a critical voice and alternative leadership style to Horner’s at Red Bull. This has contributed to a dramatic subcurrent in F1 politics alongside the on-track battles, culminating in Brown welcoming a new, less contentious era following Horner’s departure.
Their rivalry dates back to their racing days, with Brown and Horner initially competing against each other in British Formula Three. Their competition continued as team bosses, with media exchanges often taking place between them. In 2022, Red Bull was found to be in breach of the 2021 cost cap, an accusation made by Zak Brown.
Brown believes the rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull had gone too far, with frivolous allegations. He prefers a more celebratory approach where teams fight hard on the track but celebrate together for the good of the sport. With Horner's departure, Brown perceives Red Bull as an unhealthy environment and hopes for a more collegiate spirit between McLaren and Red Horner, with a focus on competition on the track.
As of now, Horner has not commented publicly on the reasons for his departure. Zak Brown, however, recently had a chat with Laurent Mekies, Horner's successor at Red Bull, at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The future of this rivalry remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Formula One is a healthier place without the pantomime villain portrayals and off-track tensions that characterised the Horner-Brown rivalry.
Sports, beyond the racetrack, have seen a significant shift as the longstanding rivalry between Zak Brown and Christian Horner evolves. With Brown's optimism following Horner's dismissal, the landscape of sports politics in Formula One might now witness a more collegiate spirit between McLaren and Red Bull.
