Zak Brown questioned at Miami Grand Prix over…read more
During the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, McLaren CEO Zak Brown addressed ongoing allegations of cheating levied against his team, particularly by Red Bull Racing, with a mix of professionalism and humor. Despite the importance of the only practice session of the weekend, Brown took time to speak with Sky Sports F1 and deliver a playful response to the recent controversy.
During the broadcast, Sky F1 commentator David Croft drew attention to a quirky detail on Brown’s water bottle. The bottle was wrapped with labels reading “TIRE WATER,” which Croft jokingly referenced by asking if Brown was staying hydrated with his special “tyre water.” Laughing, Brown confirmed he had the bottle and said, “Tastes great!” The moment quickly became a humorous exchange, with Croft pressing further about the origin of the label. Brown, smiling, responded, “It might have something to do with that, just having a bit of fun here on a Friday morning. Andrea’s way too serious for this stuff, that’s my job.” He added that while there had been some theories floating around, McLaren preferred to focus on themselves rather than get distracted by unproven claims.
This cheeky exchange stems from a wider controversy involving McLaren and Red Bull. Over the past year, McLaren has emerged as a serious championship contender, with drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri delivering consistent podium finishes and wins. As the team’s performance improved, suspicions from rival teams, particularly Red Bull, began to surface.
The issue came to a head during the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, where Red Bull accused McLaren of manipulating tyre temperatures by injecting water into the tyres. This method, if true, could have offered an unfair performance advantage by cooling the tyres. The FIA immediately investigated the matter and conducted thorough post-race checks on McLaren’s tyres. After careful scrutiny, the FIA found no evidence to support the allegations, clearing McLaren of any wrongdoing.
Although the investigation was officially closed with McLaren exonerated, the incident lingered in the paddock and among fans. Brown, known for his candid and occasionally playful demeanor, has since used the situation to poke fun at his rivals. His “tyre water” bottle is seen as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the now-dismissed accusations.
Even Red Bull team principal Christian Horner responded light-heartedly to Brown’s joke. When asked about the water bottle after FP1, Horner laughed it off and quipped that Brown could have a Red Bull energy drink if he needed a boost for the busy sprint weekend ahead.
In a sport often filled with intense competition and off-track drama, Brown’s humorous approach brought levity to the paddock. While the technical rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull continues, Brown made it clear that his team remains focused on performance and isn’t distracted by unfo
unded claims.
