F1 News
Horner gives McLaren their flowers: 'You have to congratulate them'
Zak Brown experienced one of his finest moments as CEO of McLaren on Friday night in Rwanda. The American received the 2024 Constructors trophy, McLaren's first since 1998. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner also attended the ceremony, as he was dethroned for the first time in two years. Still, Horner complimented Brown on the top prize, topping it off with a joke.
"You've got to salute what McLaren has done this year. They've done a very, very good job. They've had a good car, they've had two great drivers. And they've had an awesome year. To win a Constructors' World Championship is something that is very, very tough to do," Horner explained.
Red Bull finished the season in third place, behind both Ferrari and McLaren. They sat more or less in no man's land on 589 points. Second-placed Ferrari finished the season 63 points in front of the Milton Keynes-based team.
Horner knows from experience how difficult it is to take the constructors' championship title. The British team boss has overseen six during his time with Red Bull: "You've got to be impeccable across the year. And this year, there was some fierce competition. So you have to congratulate McLaren on the year that they've had this year," Horner said.
Max Verstappen scored 437 points on the way to his third world title. Teammate Sergio Perez scored just 152 points in comparison. The Mexican's seat for 2025 is not certain. It's rumoured that Perez will be replaced by either Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson in 2025.
Will Brown get another victory tattoo?
Horner concluded his compliment with a little joke: "I'm looking forward to seeing what tattoo Zak is going to emblazon on himself for a Constructors' World Championship." Horner is referring to the tattoos Brown had done after Daniel Ricciardo's 2021 Italian Grand Prix victory, as well as Lando Norris' Miami Grand Prix victory earlier this year.
This article was written in collaboration with Ludo van Denderen
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