Zak Brown has said that Formula One is “healthier” without Christian Horner and that the sport will be “in a better place” without the former Red Bull team principal.

BUDAPEST, Hungary — McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown believes the political battles in Formula One will be “healthier” with Laurent Mekies in charge of Red Bull instead of Christian Horner. Horner was dismissed as Red Bull team principal after more than 20 years in charge following last month’s British Grand Prix, coming as a shock to the F1 paddock.

Zak Brown held one-to-one talks with new Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, praising the Frenchman for his ‘healthier’ approach to rivalry and racing than his predecessor. The McLaren Racing CEO had a long-running feud with Christian Horner before the Brit was sacked last month.