Christian Horner, the Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, has taken a swipe at McLaren following the Japanese Grand Prix, criticizing the team for the “problem” of having two drivers vying for the World title. Horner pointed out that McLaren’s decision not to issue team orders may have cost them valuable points in the championship battle.
During the race at Suzuka, McLaren’s drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, put pressure on Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, with Piastri even expressing his belief that he had the pace to challenge the race leader. However, McLaren chose not to intervene, allowing the teammates to finish second and third behind Verstappen.
Horner suggested that McLaren’s approach of letting their drivers race each other could be detrimental in their quest for the championship, stating, “I guess the difficulty they have is that they’ve made a bed where they’re going to let them race. So that’s the compromise that inevitably comes with it.”
The criticism towards McLaren didn’t stop there, as former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve accused the team of not being aggressive enough in their strategy, claiming they were “trying to not win” by mirroring Verstappen’s pit strategy with Norris.
Despite McLaren’s strong lineup of drivers pushing each other to excel, Horner believes that their refusal to prioritize one driver over the other could hinder their chances in the championship battle. He highlighted the importance of clear team orders, contrasting McLaren’s approach with Red Bull’s strategy of making Verstappen the clear priority.
As the competition heats up in the F1 2025 season, the tensions between teams are becoming more apparent, with every decision and strategic move coming under intense scrutiny. Horner’s comments serve as a stark reminder of the cutthroat nature of Formula 1 and the relentless pursuit of victory at all costs.
