The Formula 1 world is still buzzing from the Spanish Grand Prix, where McLaren’s Oscar Piastri secured a dominant victory, leaving Max Verstappen in hot water. McLaren CEO Zak Brown was full of praise for his driver, who he said played a key role in Verstappen’s dramatic decline during the race. Verstappen, who was given a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points on his superlicence after a controversial collision with Mercedes’ George Russell, has seen his title hopes dwindle and now trails championship leader Piastri by 49 points. However, Brown’s praise for his driver was met with a biting five-word response from Red Bull team boss Christian Horner: “Zak needs to shut up.”

The race in Barcelona was a rollercoaster of emotions and strategies. Piastri, who started from pole, retained the lead and led McLaren to an impressive 1-2 finish, with teammate Lando Norris in second place. Verstappen, who started from P3, initially looked competitive, but his race descended into chaos after a safety car restart. He collided first with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and then with Russell, with the second collision at turn five leading to his penalty. The stewards ruled that Verstappen deliberately accelerated after letting Russell pass, resulting in the collision. This action cost him a potential podium finish, and he eventually finished tenth.

Zak Brown was clear in his analysis afterwards. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Oscar made a perfect start and kept the inside. You have to use the track and Max didn’t.” He praised Piastri’s cool-headed performance, with the Australian making no mistakes and controlling the race even as Verstappen tried to apply pressure with a three-stop strategy. Brown’s comments were a direct dig at Verstappen, whom he implicitly accused of reckless driving. The comments did not sit well with Horner, who saw the praise for Piastri as an attempt to provoke Red Bull. Horner’s terse response, “Zak needs to shut up,” reflected the growing tension between the two teams in a season in which McLaren has overtaken Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.

The collision between Verstappen and Russell dominated the post-race report. Russell called Verstappen’s action “deliberate” and believed he should have been disqualified, a sentiment shared by former world champion Nico Rosberg. Verstappen himself later admitted the collision “wasn’t right” and apologized on social media, but his initial post-race comments were combative. “You shouldn’t regret anything in life,” he said, further inflaming the situation. Horner defended his driver, but acknowledged that Verstappen “needs to keep his nose clean” to avoid a race ban, as he now sits on 11 penalty points, just one away from an automatic suspension.

For McLaren, the race was a triumph. Piastri’s fifth win of the season extended his championship lead, while Norris’ second place underlined the team’s dominance. McLaren’s strategic choices, such as sticking to a two-stop strategy, were crucial in fending off Verstappen’s attack. Brown emphasised the team’s spirit: “Oscar and Lando work perfectly together, and you can see that in our results.” This harmony contrasts sharply with the turmoil at Red Bull, where the threat of a race ban for Verstappen and Honda’s impending switch from engine supplier to Aston Martin in 2026 have added to the pressure.

The rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull is reaching new heights, fuelled by personal feuds such as that between Brown and Horner. While Piastri and Norris lead the championship, Verstappen continues to fight the odds, his temperament both his strength and his weakness. Horner’s fierce words towards Brown suggest the battle is not just on track, but in press conferences and off. With races still to go, the season promises to be a thrilling climax. Formula 1 remains a spectacle of speed, strategy and sharp words, with every moment on and off the track ratcheting up the tension.