Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner is known for his competitive spirit, not just in the world of Formula 1 but also on the sports field. Recently, Horner was seen showcasing his pickleball skills in a video posted on Red Bull Racing’s official Instagram, highlighting a lighter moment amid the intensifying rivalry between Red Bull and McLaren.
The video comes at a time when tensions between Horner and McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown have escalated. While Formula 1 drivers like Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz are known to indulge in golf and Charles Leclerc or Pierre Gasly enjoy football, Horner’s moment on the pickleball court reflects the growing popularity of the sport.
Here is the video:
His participation in pickleball mirrors the enthusiasm his driver, Max Verstappen, has for Padel. But while the game was all fun and games, the ongoing feud between Horner and Brown is anything but. Meanwhile, The verbal spat between Horner and Brown took another turn during the United States Grand Prix weekend.
What did Christian Horner say about McLaren?
Horner publicly accused McLaren of making illicit modifications to their car's rear wings. This accusation came after Max Verstappen secured pole position in the sprint race qualifying, with McLaren’s title contender Lando Norris only managing fourth. The on-track battle between the two teams is mirrored off-track as well, with both principals taking public jabs at each other.
At the heart of the controversy is Red Bull’s recent usage of a ride height adjustment device that sparked criticism from their rivals. While the FIA ruled that Red Bull had not breached any regulations, McLaren has been particularly vocal about the situation, calling for scrutiny.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Horner didn't hold back, suggesting that McLaren’s criticism could be an attempt to divert attention from their own questionable practices. “I feel that sometimes it’s to distract from perhaps what’s going on in your own house, then sometimes you try to light a fire somewhere else,” Horner remarked.
When asked if McLaren had any "dodgy" dealings, particularly with their rear wings, he cryptically responded, “There’s an awful lot of noise about rear wings, and McLaren had to change theirs yesterday.”