Steiner Criticizes Brown's 'Unfunny' Championship Radio Call in Abu Dhabi

Guenther Steiner has publicly critiqued Zak Brown's now-viral team radio message to Lando Norris after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, calling the McLaren CEO's attempt at humor "quite dull" and a misfire. The comment came during a podcast appearance where Steiner analyzed the delicate balance of humor in high-pressure Formula 1 moments.

Why it matters:

In the hyper-scrutinized world of F1, every public communication—especially in celebratory moments—is dissected. A team principal's radio message can become a defining soundbite of a season, for better or worse. Steiner's blunt assessment highlights how even seasoned executives can misjudge their audience when trying to inject personality into the sport's formal communications.

The details:

The incident stems from the post-race radio call after Lando Norris secured third place in the championship at the season finale. Brown came on the radio with the line: "Lando this is Zak from McLaren, is this the world champion hotline?" While intended as a lighthearted congratulations, the delivery was met with widespread ridicule online, with some fans labeling it the "worst championship radio of all time."

• Steiner, known for his own candid and often humorous media persona, did not hold back in his evaluation during The Red Flags Podcast.
• He suggested Brown "tried too hard" to be funny, resulting in a joke that missed its mark. "Sometimes when you try to be funny you are not funny," Steiner stated.
• When pressed on whether Brown is generally humorous, Steiner offered a backhanded compliment: "He is pretty good but maybe you try too hard to be funny then it’s not funny anymore."

Between the lines:

Steiner's criticism carries an extra layer of irony, as he himself is celebrated for his unfiltered and memorable quotes. He acknowledged this by contrasting Brown's attempt with his own experience celebrating Kevin Magnussen's surprise sprint pole in Brazil 2022, noting he didn't resort to a similar "hotline" gag. His comments underscore a broader challenge in F1: balancing genuine emotion with the pressure to create a memorable media moment, all while knowing every word is being recorded and shared globally in real time.

What's next:

While the radio call is now cemented as an awkward footnote to McLaren's otherwise successful season, it serves as a live case study in F1 communications. Team principals and CEOs will likely continue to walk the tightrope between professionalism and personality, but Steiner's verdict is clear: forced humor rarely lands. For Brown and McLaren, the focus swiftly returns to the track, where their 2024 car performance will ultimately speak louder than any radio transmission.