Zak Brown says McLaren took advantage of ‘destabilized’ Red Bull during Christian Horner’s texting scandal 

McLaren boss Zak Brown was one among Christian Horner’s greatest critics throughout an investigation into the Red Bull chief’s texting scandal in early 2024. Nevertheless, Brown stated his workforce took benefit of their rival’s inner “instability” as they started their marketing campaign to win the constructor’s title for the primary time in over twenty years. 

“Our sport, maybe greater than others, has a extremely aggressive and political side,” he told the TechStuff podcast, noting that McLaren “completely” obtained “an surprising benefit” throughout Horner’s media storm. 

“The aim is to make ourselves as quick as potential, however there’s additionally a technique of destabilizing the competitors. We attempt to create rigidity or disrupt different groups, which isn’t distinctive to F1 however is especially pronounced right here,” he continued. “You’re always preventing for workers, drivers, sponsors, and media consideration performs a giant position. In the event you can generate some instability in rival groups – and it doesn’t all the time work in our favor – it may well sluggish them down whereas we concentrate on rushing up.” 

Horner was positioned beneath investigation by Purple Bull’s Austria-based dad or mum firm, Purple Bull GmbH, final February following allegations of inappropriate conduct in direction of a feminine colleague. On the time, Brown was outspoken concerning the significance of transparency throughout the investigation, and the seriousness of the allegations. 

“They should deal with it swiftly as a result of I do not imagine these are the kind of headlines that Formulation 1 needs or wants at the moment,” he advised reporters. “McLaren holds themselves and all of the women and men at McLaren to the best requirements. Clearly, variety and equality and inclusion are extraordinarily essential to us, our companions, to everybody in Formulation 1,” he added. 

Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing by an impartial lawyer lower than a month later, however the McLaren CEO, and a number of other different workforce bosses, have been essential of the best way Purple Bull dealt with the matter. “I’ve learn this assertion. I feel, from what I’ve seen, there continues to be numerous rumors, hypothesis, and questions,” Brown stated on the time. “I feel the sanctioning physique has a duty and authority to our sport, to our followers, and I feel to all of us in Formulation 1… I feel they should guarantee that issues have been absolutely clear with them.” 

McLaren went on to win their first constructors championship since 1998, whereas Purple Bull completed third.