McLaren boss Zak Brown predicts Red Bull DOWNFALL after team 'fractures'

Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen — Photo: © IMAGO

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McLaren boss predicts Red Bull DOWNFALL after team 'fractures'

McLaren continue to criticise their rivals

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Friday 19 July 2024 03:00

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has revealed that 'fractures' within Red Bull could lead to their downfall.

The Woking-based outfit have quickly become the team to beat in 2024, regularly competing with Red Bull after Lando Norris' Miami Grand Prix victory.

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Following a run of strong performances in the papaya machinery, Norris clinched second place in the drivers' standings, stalking the Red Bull of Max Verstappen.

After an unfortunate collision between the two rivals in Austria and questionable strategy from the Woking-based outfit costing Norris a home win, it is clear McLaren still have a lot of work to do to take the top spot.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both led the British Grand Prix at various points in the race

How has the Red Bull drama unfolded?

The tension at Red Bull appears to have stemmed from the alleged 'inappropriate behaviour' complaint made against team principal Christian Horner by a female employee.

Horner was cleared by an internal investigation, but Zak Brown expressed dismay over how the investigation was handled.

Following the case, Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull's star driver Max, called for Horner to exit the team and ever since, the rift between the two appears to be unrepairable.

What was Zak Brown's Red Bull verdict?

Despite the drama, Red Bull remains unaffected for now, with Max Verstappen still leading the drivers' championship.

Yet Brown believes a manifestation of these issues could be on the horizon.

Speaking to media, he revealed: "I think the turmoil will have more of a mid- to longer-term impact,"

"Adrian Newey ... this car was done last year, what they are racing now was done when everything was fine."

Zak Brown has taken a frequent swipe at Red Bull's team issues this season

With new regulations set to switch up the order in 2026, Brown predicted things could go downhill for Red Bull.

"It's more '26 when you've got a new engine coming, what's going on with the driver front - that's where you potentially are going to see the lack of stability that appears to be there maybe come through a little bit.

"Winning holds things together and, as that becomes more of a challenge for them, that's where you might see some more fractures in various relationships inside that camp" he added.

Red Bull Max Verstappen Lando Norris Miami Grand Prix Zak Brown Austria