zak-brown-dutch-gp. Photo: RacePictures

Brown warns Horner: "We may not have too many cups of tea" in F1

12:49, 29 Sep

byLuke-John Buckle

Zak Brown has warned that he may not spend too much time with former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner if he returns to Formula 1 but rivalry is good for the spectacle.

"We may not have too many cups of tea."

- Zak Brown

Horner was removed from his role at Red Bull in July and has been replaced by Laurent Mekies, who stepped up from the Racing Bulls team.

The Briton is now free to return to Formula 1, he won a total of 14 world championships at Red Bull.

At McLaren, Brown is leading a very successful team this season as they are closing in on a second consecutive Constructors' Championship.

He explained in an interview with Bloomberg that Formula 1 thrives on off-track rivalries as well as battles on the circuit.

The McLaren Racing CEO Brown said: "I think he’s had a stellar career, lots of drivers’ championships. When you get into sport, not everybody’s best friends, there are different characters.

“While we may not have too many cups of tea [together], you need different types of characters in this sport. That’s what makes this sport exciting. That’s the Netflix effect – what happens off the track.

“Our sport’s unique in that not only is the competition on the track extremely exciting, there’s a lot of competition off the field of play."

Zak Brown at the Hungarian Grand Prix Photo: RacePictures

F1's characters make the sport "authentic and genuine"

Formula 1 has a rich history and memorable battles on the track between drivers. There have also been occasions where the tension has developed off the circuit, such as between Mercedes and Red Bull in 2021.

Brown added that the small number of people around Formula 1 allows for the fans to understand the team members, adding authenticity.

He said: “It’s a small group of team bosses and drivers, so the fans can get to know us all. I’ve got my friends in pit lane, and some that aren’t, but I think that’s what makes it exciting, and it’s authentic and genuine.”

Brown and Horner did battle on the track for most of last season as McLaren and Red Bull set the pace. McLaren eventually prevailed and won the Constructors' Championship.

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