“No love lost,” Zak Brown declares genuine feud with Christian Horner after 2024 title fight

Formula 1 is a brutal sport. Teams and drivers often don’t hold back when it comes to verbal fallouts on the grid. This stands true particularly during battles for the world championship. Now, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has confirmed that his relations with his Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner became much worse after last season.

2024 was the first time when McLaren’s Lando Norris was in real contention for the world title against Red Bull star Max Verstappen. Norris failed to stop Verstappen’s dominance, however, his team managed to defeat Milton Keynes to win the constructors’ championship. The first teams’ title for the Woking-based team since 1998.

During the campaign last year, Zak Brown and Christian Horner found themselves in a war of words. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris clashed on-track on a handful of occasions, which led to both team bosses attacking one another.

Now, ahead of the Chinese GP, Zak Brown was asked if he really had animosity with the Red Bull team boss. The 53-year-old made it clear that he does have a genuine feud with Horner. So much so, that Brown joked that the two had lost no love over the winter break, with both not liking the way the other person functions.

Zak Brown asserts rivalry with Christian Horner ‘good’ for F1

Formula 1 is no stranger to such rivalries in the paddock. Christian Horner was infamous for his feud with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff during the historic 2021 title fight between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, which further erupted after the controversial Abu Dhabi GP. Such instances create more drama on-track, making things more exciting for fans.

Zak Brown reckoned that a feud between team bosses of two top teams is good for Formula 1. He insisted that the paddock needs different characters embroiled in such rivalries. Though, Brown pointed out that some rivalries are often friendly and sporting, rather than just being against each other on every issue.

The McLaren CEO did not name Christian Horner, but he hinted that some rivalries in Formula 1 have always been vicious. Perhaps, indicating that this was the case over his spat with Horner.

Certainly, F1 fans have become quite accustomed to the situation between Zak Brown and Christian Horner. The rivalry was further highlighted in Drive to Survive’s latest season which explores the title fight between Lando Norris and Verstappen. Although, Norris has slammed the show for fabricating facts about the championship.

McLaren and Red Bull to go head-to-head in 2025

McLaren emerged as the favorites for the 2025 season after a positive preseason test in Bahrain. On the other hand, Red Bull seemed to be on the backfoot. This trend continued at the season opener in Melbourne. Though, Max Verstappen pushed himself to the limit to pose a challenge to the Woking-based team.

Verstappen proved that despite having a slower car, he does have what it takes to fight for victories against Norris. The Dutch driver was less than half a second behind the McLaren in the final two laps of the race. However, Lando Norris managed to stay calm under pressure and brought the car home in first place.

This might set the trend for this season. McLaren for now, have the upper hand against Verstappen and Red Bull. Though, things can always shake-up under changeable conditions. Moreover, Max Verstappen will always be ready to capitalize on any mistakes made by Norris.

As such, fans can expect to see an interesting fight for the world title this season. So far, Red Bull and McLaren are the two teams upfront. However, Mercedes and Ferrari are not too far behind. This can potentially create a four-way contest in the coming weeks.

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