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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner couldn’t resist a subtle dig at McLaren following Max Verstappen’s dominant victory at the Japanese Grand Prix. The reigning World Champion, chasing his fifth consecutive title, fended off relentless pressure from McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to secure his fourth straight Suzuka triumph. While many drivers labeled the race “boring” and “lonely,” Verstappen’s weekend was flawless—claiming pole position and converting it into a commanding win.
The result narrows his gap to Norris in the Drivers’ Championship to a single point. Post-race, Horner’s sly remarks about McLaren’s internal dynamics stole headlines, hinting at brewing tensions within the British squad.
Christian Horner’s critique of McLaren’s dual title threat
While McLaren celebrated a double podium in Japan, Horner highlighted an underlying struggle for the team: managing two drivers equally determined to dethrone Verstappen. During the race, Piastri repeatedly urged his team to let him pass Norris, insisting he had the pace to challenge the Red Bull ahead.
“I think I can get Max,” the Australian asserted over team radio. McLaren, however, opted against swapping their drivers, leaving Norris to secure second while Piastri settled for third.
Christian Horner seized the moment to underscore the complications of McLaren’s approach.
“The problem they have is they’ve got two drivers fighting for the championship,” he remarked. “They’ve made a bed where they’re going to let them race, and that’s the compromise that inevitably comes with it.”
The Red Bull boss contrasted this with his own team’s hierarchy, where Verstappen is unequivocally prioritized—a strategy he implied avoids internal friction.
The Suzuka showdown reignited debates over team orders. Norris had previously praised McLaren’s “two good drivers” as a unique advantage, claiming their rivalry elevates performance. But Horner suggested this strength could double as a weakness.
When Piastri’s faster laps were stifled by Norris’s defense, McLaren missed a potential opportunity to pressure Verstappen. Christian Horner argued that Red Bull’s singular focus allows them to maximize results, while McLaren’s egalitarian ethos risks diluting their title bid.
Critics, including 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, accused McLaren of playing it safe by mirroring Verstappen’s strategy rather than innovating. Horner agreed, hinting that a bolder undercut attempt might have challenged Red Bull. Yet he remained confident:
“Max had the pace to cover whatever McLaren threw at us.”
With Red Bull trailing McLaren by 50 points in the Constructors’ Championship—largely due to their second car’s struggles—Christian Horner’s remarks underscore a psychological battle. For McLaren, balancing driver ambition with team cohesion will define their title chase. As Verstappen closes in on Norris, the pressure isn’t just on the track—it’s in the garage.
