Zak Brown has set his sights on Max Verstappen. In a recent interview, he labels the four-time world champion as a fighter. The American McLaren CEO expresses admiration for Verstappen’s achievements, but also notes his occasional ‘arrogance’. Brown had previously warned of arrogance in former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
In the run-up to the final triple header of the season and the climax of the current title fight between Max Verstappen and the two McLaren drivers, Zak Brown gave an interview with The Telegraph. The McLaren boss admitted that he cannot ‘belittle’ the Dutchman, given his performances in Formula 1, but also took him to task. According to Brown, Verstappen’s arrogance often surfaces on the track. In the same interview, he also accused former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner of arrogance. Brown stated that fame and money – particularly due to Drive to Survive – had gone to his head. “Lewis should already be an eight-time world champion,”
‘Max crossed the line a few times’
Zak Brown was simply asked if he thought Red Bull raced unfairly. The 54-year-old CEO immediately pointed to Max Verstappen. “I don’t want to belittle Max,” he replied. “After all, he is a four-time world champion. But he can be a fighter. Then his arrogance comes out and he is too aggressive on the track.” At the same time, Brown emphasized that all great drivers had a certain arrogance. “If you look at the greatest champions in Formula 1, you see that they are all a bit arrogant,” he added. “They raced with a knife between their teeth.”
Brown added that Verstappen sometimes ‘crossed the line’, particularly referring to the 2021 title fight. He suggested that a few of Max’s overtaking maneuvers on rival Lewis Hamilton were ‘too aggressive’. Not much later, he was specifically asked about Hamilton and his first year at Ferrari. Will the 40-year-old Brit win another title? “Lewis should already be an eight-time world champion,” Brown responded significantly.
