Christian Horner's F1 rival Zak Brown reveals BREAKDOWN in relationship

Christian Horner, Red Bull, Bahrain, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Horner rival reveals BREAKDOWN in relationship

A Red Bull rival has provided a brutal assessment of Christian Horner

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Wednesday 7 August 2024 19:57

A chief figure in Formula 1 has revealed the reasons for the breakdown in his relationship with Christian Horner.

The Red Bull team principal was embroiled in controversy earlier this year, when he was accused of alleged 'inappropriate behaviour' by a female employee at the beginning of this season.

F1 HEADLINES: Verstappen linked with STUNNING team switch as Hamilton Ferrari prediction emerges

Article continues under video

Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing following an internal investigation, but the controversy has had a lasting impact on the team.

Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, stated that Horner was tearing Red Bull apart, with a high-profile split emerging between the pair.

Christian Horner was involved in controversy at the beginning of the season

Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen have suffered a breakdown in their relationship

Zak Brown admits Christian Horner relationship breakdown

Horner has not only been criticised internally, but also by rival team bosses - including McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

The 52-year-old recently condemned Horner’s response to the collision between Verstappen and Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix, criticising him for not calling out Verstappen's behaviour.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Brown revealed the extent of his relationship breakdown with Horner, amid multiple public rows between the pair in recent seasons.

"I've known Christian for about 25, 30 years. We used to race against each other. I would say we used to get on," he said.

"I believe in transparency. I believe in putting your hand up when you get something wrong. The cost cap, the excuses behind that, I never really heard a 'we just got it wrong'. I heard excuses and not taking ownership.

Zak Brown has revealed the reasons for his fallout with Christian Horner

"When someone breaches the cost cap, and doesn't seem to kind of take it seriously, that's kind of hitting the integrity and core of the sport.

"To me, it's not personal. It's protecting our sport, and when I see things not consistent with our values, I'm going to speak up about it because it's important people understand where we're coming from.

"I realise that's not necessarily always going to be popular, or make friends with everyone in the pit lane, but as long as I'm friends with McLaren, our fans, our partners, that's what's most important to me."

Red Bull Max Verstappen Ferrari Formula 1 Christian Horner Jos Verstappen