Latent tensions between McLaren and Red Bull have reached a boiling point after the appearance of new evidence concerning the future of Christian Horner in the Milton Keynes team. In a surprising and very sarcastic response, McLaren CEO Zak Brown would have directly attacked his counterpart from Red Bull, suggesting Horner to “continue McLaren” and adding, in a sharp way, “Karma is a bitch! This explosive exchange highlights the deep animosity between the two rival teams.
It is believed that the catalyst for Brown’s sharp comments was the reappearance of information relating to an internal Red Bull investigation involving Horner earlier in the season. Although the initial details have remained vague, these “new evidence” would shed new light on allegations and subsequent management of the situation. Sources suggest that McLaren, and potentially other teams, have obtained information that contradicts Red Bull’s public statements, which led to the clearly cynical response of Brown.
Brown’s sarcastic suggestion that Horner could “continue McLaren” probably stems from the persistent surveillance of Red Bull and veiled accusations concerning the performance of McLaren at the start of the season, in particular with regard to its innovative tire management. Brown insinuates that the emergence of potentially prejudicial information about Horner’s situation is a form of karmic remuneration for Red Bull’s attempts to undermine McLaren’s success by suspicion and innuendo. The expression “Karma is zero!” “Leaves little room for the interpretation of Brown’s feelings on the issue.
This dramatic escalation in the rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull adds an important layer of drama off track to an already intense formula 1 season. Brown’s daring and public taunts against Horner report potential change in the dynamics of power and McLaren’s desire to directly face his rivals. The coming days and weeks should probably see new developments while the implications of these “new evidence” and the war of words that follow continue to play in the Paddock of Formula 1.
