Zak Brown Expects Fireworks at Qatar GP Start with Verstappen's Aggression

McLaren CEO Zak Brown anticipates an explosive opening lap at the Qatar Grand Prix, believing Max Verstappen will unleash maximum aggression to keep his championship hopes alive. With Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locking out the front row and Verstappen starting directly behind them, Brown expects the reigning champion to make a spectacular move at the start.

Why it matters:

After a dominant season, Verstappen faces a critical moment where his championship challenge could effectively end if McLaren maintains its strong starting positions. The unique characteristics of the Qatar circuit, with its high-speed sweeps and mandatory two-stop strategy, mean that the initial moments of the race are crucial for any overtaking opportunities. For McLaren, securing a 1-2 finish would not only be a significant victory but also set up a potential intra-team championship battle in Abu Dhabi, injecting fresh excitement into the tail end of the season.

The details:

• Verstappen's Strategy: Brown explicitly warned F1 TV viewers not to miss the start, indicating his belief that Verstappen will be aggressively pushing to lead into Turn 1.
• McLaren's Objective: Brown emphasized McLaren's goal is for "papaya to win this championship," and for the Qatar race to set up a "two-horse race in Abu Dhabi" between Piastri and Norris.
• Team Orders: Brown stated that their drivers "know the rules" and are encouraged to race hard but cleanly, with the understanding that maintaining their lead position is paramount for the team's championship aspirations.
• Red Bull's Confidence: Red Bull's senior advisor Helmut Marko echoed the sentiment of an action-packed start, acknowledging that overtaking beyond the first few laps would be challenging. He believes the two-stop strategy offers tactical possibilities.
• Improved Red Bull Pace: Marko revealed that Red Bull made significant setup changes, including replacing a damaged floor with an older but better-conditioned one. This improved the car's pace, reducing the gap to McLaren from half a second to two tenths.
• Tyre Advantage: Marko expressed optimism that Verstappen will be more competitive on the medium and hard tires, suggesting a genuine chance at victory in the race.

What's next:

The opening lap of the Qatar Grand Prix is poised to be one of the most crucial and intense moments of the season. McLaren's ability to defend its front-row advantage against a highly motivated Verstappen will dictate the trajectory of both the race and potentially the championship. If McLaren can hold off Red Bull, it would set the stage for a thrilling intra-team battle in the season finale. Conversely, a successful aggressive move by Verstappen could reignite his title hopes and reshape the narrative entirely.