In true Formula 1 style, the peace talks between McLaren CEO Zac Brown and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner took place at 30,000ft within the first-class of a plane. The pair, who can best be described as enemies, boarded the identical flight to the UK after Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, where they slipped into matching flight pyjamas and buried the hatchet over the much-discussed fastest lap fiasco.
“Peace has been restored in F1 on the return flight,” Brown wrote under a photograph of himself and Horner on the plane. “Where’s Netflix when you need it? But the battle will continue on track. What an incredible sport!”
Lando Norris took victory on the Marina Bay Street Circuit but was unable to secure the Grand Slam as RB's Daniel Ricciardo set the fastest lap in what was prone to be the last race of his Formula One profession.
Pundits and fans alike were quick to suggest that the order could have come from the very top — *ahem* Horner — who could theoretically ask sister team Red Bull to take some extent as Norris quickly closes the gap on Max Verstappen within the Drivers' Championship. The statisticians noted that Verstappen could now finish second to Norris in all the remaining races this season and still win the championship by a single point, prompting Ricciardo to joke that he could have secured himself a “nice Christmas present” from the Red Bull ace.
Brown later told reporters that he had intended to dispute Ricciardo's final lap since the Australian was not even eligible for a bonus point for fastest lap as he was outside the highest ten, in 18th position.
“It’s a cool A/B sports thing that I didn’t think was allowed,” he told Sirius XM. “But hey, it’s not the first time we’ve seen it, it probably won’t be the last.” He continued, “I’ll definitely ask some questions. It’s something I’ve talked about in the past, and I think it shows that it happens, because I don’t think you would make that stop to do that.”
However, RB team boss Laurent Mekies put an end to speculation in an exclusive interview with Motorsport. He insisted the team would allow Ricciardo to pit for brand spanking new tyres and set off on a fastest lap because it could possibly be his last race, given widespread speculation he would get replaced by rookie Liam Lawson ahead of the subsequent round in Austin, Texas.
Daniel Ricciardo sets fastest lap of Singapore Grand Prix amid speculation it could possibly be his last Formula 1 race
Photo: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
“It’s as simple as giving the guy a chance on a crazy weekend,” Mekies told us cryptically. “It’s like: leave him alone, give him a chance to have a good lap and finish the weekend on a high.”
Horner also denied that the 2 teams were working together before he hopped on a plane with Brown, and apparently discussed the matter directly with him. Which brings us back to the social media snap, where Brown gave the thumbs-up sign while wearing a “Pato Who?” cap from Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward's merchandise line (the story behind that is an impudent slogan that’s a very different topic to unpack on one other day).
The wife of outgoing Red Bull technical director Adrian Newey was amongst those that posted a hilarious comment on Instagram. “Now getting him to put on a McLaren cap would be something,” joked Amanda Newey, adding a wink emoji.
Lando Norris takes third win of the season and closes the gap on Max Verstappen
Photo: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
The crash wasn’t the primary time Brown had criticised Red Bull’s relationship with its unofficial ‘B team’, and even Horner’s personal affairs. Similarly, the controversial team boss has hurled insults on the McLaren marketing genius, most recently denouncing the team’s improved rear wing.
While Brown has made it clear that Drive to Survive cameras is not going to be recording the peace talks, each men have a penchant for the dramatic, so it’s likely we’ll hear some steamy comments concerning the Singapore fiasco when the Netflix series returns next 12 months.
