Zak Brown letter about Mercedes ’pressure’ - Horner
"If that is the case, it is a shame"
Christian Horner thinks McLaren’s Zak Brown is sending a message about the "pressure" he may be coming under from new engine supplier Mercedes.
McLaren supremo Brown this week revealed an open letter raising his concerns about "team affiliations" and calling for "secret ballot voting" at the F1 Commission.
"I heard about that and I can only assume it’s because of pressure applied from the supplier," Red Bull’s Horner responded at Portimao.
"If that is the case, it is a shame. McLaren are one of the most historic teams in Formula 1, they’ve always had a big voice.
"It would be a shame to need to go behind a secret ballot, but a team has a right to request that. If that’s what it needs to take independent votes, then we don’t have a major issue with it," Horner added.
However, Wolff denied that he puts pressure on Mercedes-powered teams to follow the works team on political matters.
"You have seen in the past that Toro Rosso has voted like Red Bull, probably without any exceptions, and Haas has gone the Ferrari way. In our case, we have never tried to influence a team," the Austrian insisted.
McLaren F1
’Air getting thinner’ as Red Bull dominance fades
Media ’overestimated’ Ferrari upgrade - Sainz
McLaren needs another big upgrade to catch Red Bull
McLaren, winner Norris, defend Trump’s Miami GP visit
More on McLaren F1
Mercedes F1
Mercedes confirms seat-hunting Ocon still ’supported’
Newey poised to decide next move in F1 - report
Antonelli test was not a ’shootout’ - Mercedes
’No reason’ for ’sceptical’ Hamilton’s slump - Wolff
Mercedes board votes ’yes’ for Antonelli in 2025
More on Mercedes F1
Red Bull
Choosing Perez over Sainz ’logical’ for Red Bull
Marko says ’truce’ agreed with Christian Horner
Lawson perhaps not ’welcome’ for Red Bull race future
Red Bull problems ’not easy to fix’ - Verstappen
Official: Perez to drive for Red Bull Racing until 2026
More on Red Bull