Lando Norris has secured his first world championship. The McLaren driver has thus delivered his team their first driver’s title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008. CEO Zak Brown is naturally overjoyed, especially with Max Verstappen hot on the heels of the Brit in the championship. “This guy, Max Verstappen, is tough to beat, so it’s a well-deserved title,” concludes the American.
Two points. That was ultimately the difference between newly crowned world champion Lando Norris and second-place Max Verstappen. The Brit came out on top, after a tumultuous year filled with highs and lows and the so-called ‘papaya rules’. McLaren CEO Zak Brown couldn’t be happier with his driver’s title.
“I’m so incredibly proud of the team,” the American begins in an interview with Sky Sports. “I’m so proud of the drivers, we let them race each other to the end.” The much-discussed team orders did not take place at the Yas Marina Circuit. Piastri finished second, a good four seconds ahead of his teammate. That Max Verstappen ultimately won the race is not surprising to Brown. “This guy, Max Verstappen, is tough to beat. So it’s a well-deserved title for everyone.”
Of course, the much-discussed ‘papaya rules’ also come up in the conversation with Brown. However, the American sticks to his previous stance. “For us, that’s the right way to go racing,” continues the CEO. “I’m proud of how everyone behaved, and how we dealt with the highs and lows. Although there were quite a few lows at the end.”
‘Oscar is a future champion’
While a celebration can be held in Norris’s garage, the joy for Piastri is obviously much less. However, Brown reassures the Australian: “Oscar is a future world champion. Both our drivers have won seven races this year, but it’s just a cruel sport. I can’t wait to race with these two again next year.”
