McLaren CEO Zak Brown Criticizes Red Bull’s Aggressive Driving Encouragement in Formula 1
In the aftermath of the Austrian Grand Prix, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has expressed his discontent with Red Bull and its team principal Christian Horner for allegedly promoting an aggressive driving style in Formula 1. Brown believes that this mindset has contributed to the collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, which has sparked controversy in the Formula 1 community.
Brown emphasized that while the incident was unfortunate, it highlights areas where the FIA can improve to prevent similar incidents in the future. He, however, took issue with Red Bull’s stance on the matter, specifically their team radio messages and post-event interviews, which he felt did not demonstrate respect for Formula 1’s rules.
“I’m also disappointed in such a great team like Red Bull that the leadership almost encourages it, because you listen on the radio what was said,” Brown stated ahead of the British Grand Prix. “We all have a responsibility on pit wall to tell our drivers the do’s and don’ts of what’s going on in the race, and so I think we need to have respect for regulations.”
Brown’s comments suggest that Red Bull has a history of disregarding Formula 1 rules, citing instances of non-compliance with financial regulations, sporting regulations, and on-track conduct. He believes that teams have a crucial role in guiding their drivers on what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior on the track.
“We need to guide our drivers on what’s right or wrong, and I think had it been addressed earlier, maybe that incident wouldn’t have taken place,” Brown added. “So it’s a racing incident that I think could have been avoided if the pit wall and the stewards had maybe been more on top of what the regulations say you can and can’t do.”
When asked if he would address his concerns directly with Horner, Brown indicated that the FIA should take responsibility for ensuring compliance with Formula 1 rules.
“That’s the FIA’s role. I don’t really have any interest in speaking with Christian.”
Formula 1 Stewarding Improvements
Brown also advocated for changes to the stewarding system in Formula 1, suggesting that the appointment of permanent professional stewards could lead to greater consistency and enforcement of regulations.
“As we reflect on the weekend, and I think this is something that the FIA agrees with, we need to invest more in our stewarding to have greater consistency and enforcement of the regulations,” Brown said. “I think having part-time stewards, it’s a very difficult job. It’s quite complex, and so to do it on a part-time basis for the level F1 is at, I think is difficult.”
By improving the stewarding system and ensuring that teams respect Formula 1 rules, Brown believes that incidents like the one between Verstappen and Norris can be avoided in the future.
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