Zak Brown blames "Drive to Survive" fame for changing Christian Horner

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown claimed that Netflix's Drive to Survive changed former Red Bull team principal and CEO Christian Horner.

Brown and Horner have famously butted heads, which was often captured on the hit docuseries, but their relationship hasn't always been that way.

"I’ve known Christian for 30-plus years. We used to get on," Brown told The Telegraph. "His results are amazing. So, hats off. But he’s changed. I think the Drive to Survive fame, the money, the glory, all got a bit much."

Drive to Survive, which was first released in 2019, has been instrumental in boosting the popularity of Formula 1 in the United States and with a younger audience. In addition to this, it also pushed the individuals within the championship into the limelight, including former driver Daniel Ricciardo, former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, Horner, and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff.

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Zak Brown, McLaren

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

When asked if Horner played fair during his time at the helm of Red Bull Racing, Brown explained: "At times, no. Back when I was racing, there were drivers who raced hard and squeezed competitors’ cars two wheels off the track. That’s OK. But other drivers squeeze you four wheels off the track. That’s not OK. I’m a two wheels off guy. Christian is a four wheels off guy."

He added: "He made allegations towards our team. I can’t imagine he believed them. It was simply intended to disrupt us. Regardless of legality, everyone in the sport knows you wouldn’t do that for technical reasons."

Horner was replaced as Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal on 9 July 2025 by former Racing Bulls team chief Laurent Mekies. After reaching a settlement agreement with the Milton Keynes outfit, Horner officially left the team on 22 September 2025. It is understood that the agreement would allow the Briton to return to the championship in 2026 should he find a suitable position.

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