In a battle of wits and rivalry, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown took a cheeky jab at Red Bull during the Miami Grand Prix weekend. Brown cleverly displayed a water bottle labeled ‘tire water,’ referencing past accusations from Red Bull about McLaren using water to cool their tires. This move didn’t go unnoticed by Red Bull principal Christian Horner, who responded with a witty offer to “energize” Brown with a Red Bull drink.
The tensions between the two teams date back to the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix when reports surfaced of Red Bull accusing McLaren of adding water to their tires for cooling purposes. Despite FIA investigations finding no evidence to support these claims, the rivalry intensified as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched the Drivers’ Championship while McLaren secured the Constructors’ title.
As the F1 2025 season heats up, with McLaren leading in both Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings, Brown’s playful dig at Red Bull added spice to their ongoing competition. With Brown playfully needling Red Bull, Horner’s response injected humor into the situation by offering Brown a Red Bull drink for an energy boost.
Heading into the Miami Grand Prix, McLaren’s Daniel Piastri leads the Drivers’ Championship, followed by teammate Lando Norris, while Max Verstappen trails in third place. McLaren also maintains a significant lead in the Constructors’ Championship, holding a 77-point advantage over Mercedes in second place. The battle between McLaren and Red Bull continues to captivate F1 fans as the rivalry unfolds on and off the track.
