Zak Brown Criticizes Red Bull's 'Subservient' Approach to Max Verstappen
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has criticized Red Bull's operational focus, alleging that the team is 'subservient' to Max Verstappen and tailors its car and driver choices primarily to keep the Dutch driver happy. Brown suggests Red Bull's refusal to consider top talents like Carlos Sainz for 2025 is evidence of their fear of losing Verstappen, creating an imbalance he says McLaren would never tolerate.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has openly criticized Red Bull Racing's operational strategy, claiming the team's entire focus is to cater to Max Verstappen, to the detriment of their second driver and overall team balance. Brown's comments suggest an environment where Verstappen's influence is paramount, raising questions about internal competition and future driver selections.
Why it matters:
Zak Brown's outspoken criticism highlights a growing debate in Formula 1 regarding team dynamics, particularly the balance between supporting a star driver and fostering healthy internal competition. If true, Red Bull's 'Max-centric' approach could impact driver market decisions and shape how other teams view their own operational philosophies. This commentary from a rival team principal adds a significant layer to the narrative surrounding Red Bull's dominant era.
The details:
- Verstappen's Dominance: Since Daniel Ricciardo's departure, Max Verstappen has been the sole consistent points scorer for Red Bull, with a significant gap between him and his teammates.
- Yuki Tsunoda's Contribution: Current teammate Yuki Tsunoda has contributed only 25 points to Red Bull's tally across 19 Grands Prix this season, averaging less than two points per race weekend, starkly contrasting Verstappen's output.
- Carlos Sainz Refusal: Brown cites Red Bull's decision not to pursue Carlos Sainz as a prime example of their 'Verstappen-first' strategy, arguing Sainz would have been an 'obvious choice' for the 2025 season given his availability and performance.
- 'Seven Tenths of a Second': In his upcoming book, Brown states, "Sometimes, way before Christian Horner is fired in the middle of the 2025 season, it actually feels like Max is running the team."
- Team Dynamics: Brown claims that at Red Bull, "Everyone seems to be subservient to him. Everyone seems to be afraid of him."
- Car Design: He further suggests that "The car is tailored to Max, to a point where it seems difficult for anyone else to drive it effectively."
- Fear of Losing Verstappen: Brown believes Red Bull's strategy stems from a "terrified" desire to keep Verstappen happy, even if it means becoming a "one-man team" or "a driver's own little empire."
- McLaren's Philosophy: Brown contrasts this with McLaren's ethos, stating, "That kind of unfairness, that stifling of competition, is not part of our company ethos,” emphasizing a preference for balanced competition.
The big picture:
Red Bull's unprecedented success in recent years has been largely driven by Max Verstappen's exceptional talent. However, Brown's comments suggest that this dominance might come at the cost of fostering a more balanced team environment. This raises broader questions about whether such a 'one-man' approach is sustainable in the long term for a championship-contending team or if it inherently limits the potential of a second driver, potentially narrowing the talent pool willing to join. The debate underscores the differing philosophies among top F1 teams regarding driver management and internal competition.
What's next:
Brown's remarks, especially from a rival team principal, are likely to spark further discussion within the F1 paddock. While Red Bull has not directly responded to these specific claims, their actions in upcoming driver market decisions, particularly for the 2025 season and beyond, will be closely scrutinized. How Red Bull navigates these criticisms, especially regarding their second driver selection, will offer insights into whether they maintain their 'Max-centric' approach or make any adjustments.