McLaren CEO Zak Brown has openly criticized Red Bull’s internal culture, describing it as “poison” that has negatively impacted the team’s dynamics. This outspoken commentary comes amidst McLaren’s resurgence in the Constructors’ standings and increased external scrutiny ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. Brown’s remarks shed light on what he perceives as the deep-rooted issues plaguing Red Bull, a team once regarded as a pinnacle of excellence in Formula 1.
Brown’s criticism of Red Bull’s internal workings is part of a broader discussion about challenges McLaren has faced recently. Rivals, including Red Bull and Ferrari, have raised complaints about McLaren’s rear wing, drawing scrutiny onto the team just as they prepare for the Singapore Grand Prix. However, while McLaren manages heightened external attention, Red Bull grapples with internal strife manifesting in both performance and personnel changes.
Red Bull has not secured a race win since the Spanish Grand Prix in June, and internal turmoil seems to be exacerbating their woes. The team is under investigation for misconduct involving team boss Christian Horner. Public conflicts between Horner and motorsport advisor Helmut Marko have added to the unstable atmosphere. Additionally, speculations are rife that Max Verstappen might switch to Mercedes or Aston Martin due to disputes involving his father, Jos Verstappen, and Horner. Key departures, such as design legend Adrian Newey to Aston Martin and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley to Sauber, further signal distress within the team.
Speaking to Autosport during the Singapore Grand Prix, Brown coined the phrase, “Don’t eat the poison biscuit,” a sentiment he uses to emphasize the need to shield his team from external pressures and unfounded rumors. He pinpointed Red Bull’s cultural dysfunction as the root cause of their decline, despite their unchanged facilities and substantial budgets. “That is an unbelievably great team that, at the moment, is going in the wrong direction because of culture,” Brown stated. “Their wind tunnel is not any different than what it was a year ago. I think that is a moral culture. People are leaving, [there is] lots of noise, look at the top, one team principal makes a statement, then Helmut [Marko] makes [a different one].”
“Drivers aren’t happy — driver’s dads … but it is the same factory and with a huge budget. So like, what’s changed? The culture of the people,” Brown added, critically examining the dynamics within Red Bull.
In a season that has seen Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both celebrate maiden F1 wins, leading to McLaren’s prominent position in the Constructors’ Standings, Brown’s reflections carry considerable weight. Reflecting on his personal motivation, Brown confessed, “I’m still scarred, and hopefully permanently scarred, from the start of 2023. There’s two types of people in this world, those that are motivated by the thrill of victory and those that are motivated by the fear of defeat. I’m motivated by the fear of defeat, which gets me out of bed every day.”
Despite facing stress-related health challenges, Brown remains determined never to grow complacent. Reflecting on his relentless drive, he remarked, “It’s probably the unhealthier, yes, more stressful and probably explains why I had ulcers a year and a half ago! But I’m never relaxed, I’m never comfortable, and I think being uncomfortable is a good thing. Managing it is important but I don’t feel like I’m ever going to take my foot off the throttle, because if you pan out far enough you can see trouble ahead.”
As McLaren navigates its path forward, the spotlight on internal team culture and leadership dynamics offers critical lessons for all teams within the sport. How Red Bull addresses its internal issues and how McLaren leverages its current momentum will significantly influence the narratives of both teams in the competitive world of Formula 1.
