Zak Brown Compares Max Verstappen to a 'Horror Movie Villain' for McLaren
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has described Max Verstappen as a 'horror movie villain' due to his relentless pursuit of perfection, admitting McLaren never truly believed he was out of the championship fight. Despite Lando Norris's 24-point lead, a recent disqualification in Las Vegas has tightened the race, underscoring Verstappen's ability to capitalize on every opportunity.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has likened Red Bull's Max Verstappen to an relentless 'horror movie villain,' acknowledging that his team never considered the Dutchman out of the championship fight despite their significant lead.
Why it matters:
McLaren's cautious stance highlights the immense threat Verstappen poses, even when seemingly trailing. His consistent performance and ability to capitalize on every opportunity mean that no lead is truly safe in Formula 1, making every race a high-stakes affair for championship contenders.
The details:
- Verstappen's Relentless Pursuit: Brown, speaking on The Sports Agents podcast, praised Verstappen's "unbelievable talent" and his knack for "never making mistakes," describing him as a character who always comes back when you least expect it.
- Championship Tightens: McLaren's Lando Norris currently leads the drivers' standings by 24 points with two rounds remaining, but his lead over Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri (who are tied behind him) narrowed significantly after a disqualification at the Las Vegas Grand Prix for excessive plank wear.
- Never Counted Him Out: Brown admitted that even when McLaren had a 104-point lead on Verstappen, they never believed the championship was a "done deal," underscoring their awareness of his formidable presence.
- Resilience After Setbacks: Despite the Las Vegas disqualification, Brown maintains a pragmatic view, stating that it's "just sport" and that dwelling on past issues won't improve future performance. His focus remains on learning and moving forward.
The big picture:
With the final two rounds of the 2025 Formula 1 season kicking off this weekend in Qatar, the championship remains wide open. Verstappen's 'villain' reputation, coupled with McLaren's recent setback, sets the stage for a tense and thrilling conclusion to the season, where every point will be crucial. McLaren, despite Norris's lead, knows better than to underestimate the reigning champion's ability to turn the tide.
What's next:
The upcoming sprint race at the Losail circuit in Qatar offers a significant number of points, making the final two rounds critical for all three contenders. Both Verstappen and Piastri are firmly in contention, and the battle for the drivers' championship is poised to go down to the wire.