As tensions simmer between Red Bull and McLaren in the race for the 2024 Formula 1 championship, Max Verstappen has made it clear that he’s not interested in the ongoing row between Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner and McLaren CEO Zak Brown. With just five races remaining, Verstappen’s focus remains on protecting his substantial 57-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris rather than engaging in the off-track drama.
The latest episode of the Red Bull-McLaren rivalry kicked off at the United States Grand Prix, where concerns were raised over a ride-height adjustment device used by Red Bull. Though the team insisted that the mechanism couldn’t be altered when the car was fully assembled, McLaren, led by Brown, demanded further clarity from the FIA. Brown’s pursuit of answers stems from increasing scrutiny over technical innovations in Formula 1, exacerbated by last year’s fallout from Red Bull’s breach of the 2022 cost cap rules.
Yet, Verstappen remains unfazed by the public back-and-forth between Horner and Brown. When asked about their escalating feud, the three-time world champion downplayed the significance of their spat.
“It doesn’t interest me,” Verstappen told Autosport. “We were just using it [the device] as a tool to adjust the ride height faster. It wasn’t really McLaren, it was more Zak. Zak doesn’t like Christian, and vice versa. That’s just how it is. That’s not my problem.”
Verstappen emphasized his disinterest in the war of words, stating he’d rather focus on other things. “I really don’t care about this at all. I see it, I read it, but then I turn it off again and go watch MotoGP or go on the sim.”
The dispute between Horner and Brown has been brewing for months, sparked initially by McLaren’s controversy in Baku, where video footage revealed a flexing rear wing on their MCL38. The growing rivalry was further fueled by Red Bull’s 2022 cost cap violation, which led to widespread criticism, including from McLaren.
Red Bull’s technical advantage came under fire again in Austin when Brown questioned the legality of their ride-height device. McLaren, meanwhile, faced their own challenges after being forced to make rear wing changes, which some believe may have impacted their recent performance. Horner hinted that such technical adjustments, although minor, could have had a tangible effect on McLaren’s competitiveness.
“Small details make a difference, especially when the cars are as close as they are now,” Horner said, alluding to Formula 1’s relentless pursuit of marginal gains. “There will inevitably be a difference from it, but how much it impacts performance will depend on the circuit.”
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella, however, downplayed any suggestion that the rear wing adjustments had significantly affected the team’s performance.
“I would be surprised if only a couple of teams had to make adaptations,” Stella remarked. “Our rear wing was adjusted after Baku, following conversations with the FIA, but this is a really minor element. None of the performance swings we’ve seen can be attributed to this.”
While Horner and Brown continue to clash in public, Verstappen remains laser-focused on securing his fourth world title, staying clear of the off-track skirmishes as Red Bull battles McLaren both on and off the circuit.
