Zak Brown: I used to be friends with F1 legend Christian Horner, then Drive to Survive happened

Christian Horner and Zak Brown — Photo: © IMAGO

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Zak Brown: I used to be friends with Christian Horner, then Drive to Survive happened

Zak Brown and Christian Horner share a fiery relationship

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Tuesday 18 November 2025 10:57

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McLaren F1 boss Zak Brown has revealed that he and arch nemesis Christian Horner used to be friends - before Netflix's Drive to Survive.

Brown and Horner's relationship throughout the 2024 season took a turn for the worse, when allegations surrounding Red Bull's boss Horner became a topic of conversation in the paddock, with Brown calling for more transparency from the team.

Horner was ultimately cleared of all of the allegations, but the rather stressful time for the Brit was recorded via season seven of the hit Netflix series Drive to Survive, when Horner could be heard saying: "Zak is a p****."

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The pair's rivalry then continued into 2025, with McLaren the dominant team in the paddock and Red Bull trying to chase them down through four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

But in July, Horner was axed from Red Bull with the team sat fourth in the constructors' championship, with Laurent Mekies instead taking over as team principal.

Now, with his arch nemesis no longer in the F1 paddock, Brown has opened up about their relationship, as rumours swirl of a potential Horner comeback. He's said that Drive to Survive - and all the money and fame that has gone with it - may have changed the 52-year-old.

"I’ve known Christian for 30-plus years, we used to get on," Brown told The Telegraph. "His results are amazing. So, hats off. But he’s changed.

"I think the Drive to Survive fame, the money, the glory, all got a bit much."

When asked if Horner ‘plays fair’, Brown added: "At times, no. Back when I was racing, there were drivers who raced hard and squeezed competitors’ cars two wheels off the track. That’s ok. But other drivers squeeze you four wheels off the track. That’s not ok. I’m a two wheels off guy. Christian is a four wheels off guy."

Will Horner return to F1?

Alpine emerged as an unlikely contender for the 52-year-old’s signature almost immediately after he was axed from Red Bull, with the French outfit currently lacking a team principal.

Executive advisor Flavio Briatore fulfilled the functions of team boss after Oliver Oakes’ departure back in May, and in July, Steve Nielsen signed as their managing director.

Nielsen now oversees the day-to-day running of the team, but he has not officially taken up the role of team principal, meaning the spot is still technically up for grabs at Alpine.

Rumours of a Ferrari switch have failed to go away too, with the Maranello outfit currently now fourth in the standings and looking to get back to championship-winning ways in the near future.

Meanwhile, Horner has reportedly been calling various F1 teams to discuss a potential return to the sport, with Haas another option for the Brit in terms of his team ownership ambitions. Current team principal Ayao Komatsu revealed that an initial conversation with Horner had taken place, but that discussions had not gone any further.

One thing is for sure, Horner's two main rivals Brown and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will be missing the competitive rivalry they had with the Brit, even if they don't miss Horner himself.

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