McLaren boss, Zak Brown doubles down on previous comments about Red Bull, claiming that the atmosphere within the Austrian team is toxic.

You've got to hand it to the man... he has to be one of the busiest people not only in F1, but in the world.

When he's not at a Grand Prix, he's at IndyCar, WEC, Formula E indeed anywhere there appears to be a race, journalists and microphones.

Having previously opined that all the F1 teams are worth "north of £1bn", that Monaco isn't really needed now that we have Vegas and Jeddah and that pit stops would improve the Sprints, the American has returned to his favourite subject, the perceived issues at Red Bull.

Previously claiming that his desk is awash with CVs from personnel seeking to escape the Austrian team, Brown now warns that the atmosphere within the team is toxic.

"Red Bull is a pretty toxic environment right now," he tells Bloomberg. "There is more to come," he warns. Newey's departure is an important one, because I think a lot of people at Red Bull started working with him. I already mentioned that there were resumes circulating.

"That happens all the time," he adds, "but you see a higher level of discomfort. I also think that in the future it will be more difficult with sponsors, because they are going to examine carefully what they are associated with. That's a tricky situation."

Being a marketing man of no little experience, some might see that as a deliberate move to create concern not only among Red Bull's existing sponsors but those the Austrian team is looking at. Indeed, one might almost suggest that the American is, in a way, trying to cancel the rival outfit, using the (sadly unresolved) Horner saga as a means of destabilising his rivals.

"You have the whole Verstappen drama," he adds. "Is he staying or is he leaving? Max has a contract, only his father is pretty outspoken.

"Red Bull is a great racing team, but destabilised," he says, without a hint of irony. "You can see that with Newey leaving. However, you can never erase them. As I said, they are an incredible team, just by my reasoning, they are not as strong as they used to be.

"If I look at who has the best path of visibility and momentum right now, it's Ferrari and McLaren. Things can change quickly though, so we have to keep both feet on the ground."

Other than the fact that such comments almost want one to support Red Bull in its efforts, one has to admit that even in the darkest days of the Piranha Club, the likes of Ron Dennis would never stop to such obvious, petty lengths.

And talking of Adrian Newey, is anyone else surprised that there has been no official reaction to Tom Rubython's claim - via his infamous BusinessF1 magazine - that the design guru signed a three-year deal with Ferrari worth $107m ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.

Of course, other than consistently stirring the pot over the Horner saga, the magazine is understood to be at the heart of a number of ongoing, unresolved controversies, not least the claim that Toto Wolff and his wife had shared insider information, a claim that got the Austrian and just about every single F1 team hot under the collar.

According to the magazine, the deal was negotiated by Newey's manager, Eddie Jordan, and sees the Briton's salary increased by 50% of what he was being paid at Red Bull.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 18/06/2024 13:52

"@BillH
That's just a form of words expessing a desire to suggest that someone who was unceremoniously dumped from the companies he created was more dignified & effective than the current incumbents. "

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2. Posted by Editor, 18/06/2024 11:01

"@ ancient70!

We don't do "clickbait", and I resent the claim that we do."

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3. Posted by ancient70!, 18/06/2024 10:46

"Just love it, all these clickbait statements! Toxic environment, scandal, power struggle, brutal actions, etc. My all time favourite, quotes from “highly respected so and so” I have yet to read about a quote from “not respected so and so” But then that would open the reporter up to libel suites?"

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4. Posted by CL, 17/06/2024 5:44

"There’s no need to comment, but oh, boy is he enjoying himself doing so.

Could be a mantra for many commentators on here too!"

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5. Posted by BillH, 15/06/2024 5:31

"@spindoctor in regard to Sir Ron, "all is forgiven", as far as I'm aware there is nothing to forgive Sir Ron for.
Perhaps Toto Wolf could advise McLaren's current CEO:
Focus on McLaren Zak, Focus.
Zak Brown has done a good job in getting the right people into McLaren at the right time to do the good job they are doing.
There is no need to commenting publicly on the inner goings on of the other teams."

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6. Posted by moomoo, 14/06/2024 20:36

"@ClarkwasGod: final word of your post should have been stuff"."

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7. Posted by Duckworth, 14/06/2024 19:08

"We can’t beat you fairly on track so we’ll do everything possible to destabilize your organization. Gosh we live in a cynical world. Of course Red Bull provided a fair amount of ammo to their adversaries in recent months…

I really like Oscar and Lando but Brown makes it harder and harder to root for them."

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8. Posted by Team Hack, 14/06/2024 18:13

"What is it with Brown (and Villeneuve) that they have to keep pontificating at every opportunity?"

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9. Posted by Spindoctor, 14/06/2024 17:22

"Come back Sir Ron. All is forgiven....."

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10. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 14/06/2024 15:47

"Reports are that McLaren are busy developing a hot-air balloon powered only by Brown"

"Red Bull is a pretty toxic environment right now," claims Brown

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