Red Bull are 'SCARED' of Max Verstappen, claims McLaren boss - as he slams Christian Horner with rivalry continuing to boil after the world champion's crash with Lando Norris

Red Bull are 'scared' of Max Verstappen, according to McLaren boss Zak Brown.

Verstappen has dominated Formula One for a number of years, winning the last three world championships and currently 84 points clear at the top of the 2024 standings.

His dominance has slipped in recent races, however, with the likes of Lando Norris, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton starting to put pressure on the Dutchman at the front of the grid.

Things came to a head at the Austrian Grand Prix on June 30, when Norris and Verstappen collided while fighting for the lead with both their races ruined. Verstappen received a penalty for the incident but refused to accept blame.

Now, Norris' boss, Zak Brown, has launched a verbal attack on Verstappen's Red Bull team, insisting, via The Independent, that it's the Dutchman that rules the roost in the paddock. 

'It seems to be that Red Bull are scared of Max,' he began. 'We're very honest with our drivers. If nobody tells him that what he did wasn't within the regulations, why should he think otherwise?

'But to have Christian come on the radio and actually squarely point the problem at Lando, who are you kidding? Everyone has seen it. The regulations are very clear, you've got to leave a car's width. He didn't. Why did he have to say anything? It just felt wholly inappropriate.'

Horner has come under vast criticism in recent months, starting with an investigation into an accusation of 'coercive behaviour' - a claim he was cleared of.

He has also clashed with Verstappen's father, Jos, while his long-running rivalry with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff could be set to be reignited as the silver arrows start to improve again.

Horner's team also came under criticism for overspending their 2021 budget and were handed a fine of just over £5million for the rule break, as well as testing-related limitations.

Brown, meanwhile, isn't a fan, and wasn't scared to hide what he thinks of the 50-year-old. 

'I speak up on issues,' Brown said. 'It just seems I have more issues with him more than others, because he says and does stuff I think is wrong. 

'It's less about getting under each other's skin and fighting because we were not competing with them during the cost-cap. I just felt the integrity of the cost cap was critical for the success of Formula One and, if it wasn't taken seriously, the sport would be damaged forever. 

'I was trying to protect the integrity of the sport and they didn't take it seriously. That's why I spoke up.'