Zak Brown Exclusive: How McLaren Shocked F1 & Norris v Verstappen Rivalry

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

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[@sammylj3644]

You must get Max Verstappen and/or Christian Horner on the podcast…all these people are envious hypocrites driven by mediocrity

[@micaelyesitsme]

Zak, Stella, and the entire McLaren team have done an amazing job and totally deserve the WCC. However, it’s really disappointing to hear him say they lost the WDC because of 'dirty driving.' That’s unfair. Why not admit that McLaren simply wasn’t ready to fight for the drivers' title this year? You have the best car overall this season but made too many strategic and driver errors. That’s it!

[@stonecold91]

Absolutely true.

[@Heeroyui752]

Two things can be true at once.

[@mini_steve]

I think people need to know (I'm sure the die hard fans already do) that in only his 2nd season of F1, Oscar has joined the top 3 best in the sport as having finished every racing lap of a season. That's a massive achievement, seeing as this year was the longest ever.

[@silvina6287]

Oscar is fantastic!. Nice guy also.

[@neonjaystones1992]

Oscar is brilliant and he manages to keep his head under pressure. The guy is absolutely a future champ, I'd even argue he's a future multiple world champion. He has that calmness to keep the fight up, just needs to work on his tyre wear and his qualifying. But that'll come with time and experience

[@OfishcialDiscusCanada-cu9df]

It’s funny that Zak and McLaren are so critical of Max for being aggressive and dirty yet they hold Senna so close to them, the man that literally crashed purposely into Prost and said he was going to do it. Max is aggressive and relentless because that is what a F1 champion needs to be, Lando and McLaren will continue to learn that lesson until he heeds it.

[@Ddevil24]

Senna ain’t their time so . I’m sure if senna was alive and driving for them they would also held him accountable. Which they do with lando . Max is not just aggressive he is dirty . And would do anything for the opponent to lose . Oh I meant dirty by PURPOSELY PUSHING their driver off

[@sixonesix9429]

Max is nothing like Senna. What you mention, occurred because pole was moved to the dirty side of the track. Even then, when you rewatch the footage of both the Senna/Prost incidents, Prost turns in early both times. James Hunt covered all this years ago along with plenty of evidence. Max is a spoilt clown. Tons of talent but a clown none the less.

[@mamavswild]

@@Ddevil24 whatever you say, buddy. you know it all.

[@Zzzerof0xxX]

Senna and max in the same sentence doesn't make any sense...

[@mrmatt8949]

@@sixonesix9429nailed it!

[@RustyQCumber]

Rather disappointing to hear Brown take the cheap way out and imply the WDC was lost to another party's "dirty driving". It's easy to laud the team you beat (Ferrari) for their sportsmanship, but much harder to look in the mirror and admit you threw away the Norris WDC due to a combination of strategic and driver errors. McLaren as an organisation weren't ready to fight for a drivers' title this year. Candid self-reflection would have made Brown look a lot better here.

[@StateBiscuit]

It was though

[@dardog7734]

That’s what you took from that conversation

[@masrimus1607]

Max is a dirty driver. What's wrong calling spade a spade?

[@joedutchnl3948]

​@@masrimus1607 that is simply not true than other champs have been dirty drivers two. Lewis was a hard racer like this with mclaren and mercedes when rosberg was close. After that he cruised to championships with a great engine advantage and great car and his great drivings skills. He did not have to race hard just like max did not have to in 2023. People just seem to forget don't they.

[@POVRR3]

​@@masrimus1607 dirty and smart.

[@mitchdaytonam3]

It’s understandable why Zak has to take this approach, he’s seen Max win 5 races this year without the fastest car; it makes sense that he tries to throw him under the bus.

[@JackTDipper]

Max generally adheres to the rules and has an in-depth understanding of them. His driving isn't dirty or unsportsmanlike; it's strategic use of the rules. On the other hand, Zak has a reputation for being a sore loser, often making excuses for his team's failures and others' successes.

[@raoulh.4440]

Jos, you should do your social media posting under your own name!

[@mamavswild]

check out raoulh...this clown is an angry clown haha

[@Lanse1984]

​@@raoulh.4440Funny how you need to attack Max off track because you can't beat him on it.

[@joefarah]

“Strategic use of the rules” hahaha. The lengths you have to go to give a positive spin on dirty driving is comical. I dare you to try “strategic use of the rules” in a court of law someday and see how that works for you.

[@neonjaystones1992]

"bending the rules" is just a fancy way of admitting to being a dishonest and dirty driver

[@ClinicalDecisionYikesYT]

What rivalry dude?? Cope Brown. They threw away OVER 80 POINTS!

[@masrimus1607]

Next year dude

[@Rahuri87]

Zak really is incapable of self reflection huh

[@raymondgrieger9267]

I don’t like Zak, never have but my personal distain aside, the McLaren team did an amazing job. The men and woman behind the scenes are amazing!

[@sghitza1]

Is there any reason why you don't like him ? 😂

[@cohiba79100]

You dont know why Raymond Grieger doesn't like Zak Brown? Where are you living man ​@@sghitza1

[@sghitza1]

@@cohiba79100 🤣🤣🤣

[@lcthen1690]

We need to compliment Oscar for finishing ALL races. For a young gun, this is exceptional and his contribution. Yes, he has room to improve but I think Lando needs too be more aggressive to cut Max if he wants to win WDC!

[@nkosinathisifisosibisi6038]

Stella job by Zak Brown's team👏👏👏

[@CatPicture001]

Zak and Stella dragging their feet, not prioritising Lando’s WDC, letting it slip away, just because they are afraid of upsetting Piastri and Webber was so frustrating to watch! McLaren isn’t dominating the grid anymore, you have to prioritise a driver for the WDC, you already lost the WDC in 2007 and 2024, now you want to make the same mistake in 2025?!?! Maddening! Stella, Webber and Piastri put Lando in the worst position possible, Stella kept “considering starting to help Lando”, without actually helping him, but it was enough to imply favouritism, and the media ran with this false narrative to pile on abuse. In reality, McLaren have used papaya rules to favour Oscar a whole lot more, 2 gifted wins and counting, but the media doesn’t use facts and stats anymore, just whatever fake storyline that generates more hate and engagement online. Utterly disgusting.

[@caminho7340]

The emphasis on 2 second pit stop is an interesting perspective

[@Felgenfahrt]

Love that Zak finally gave us an explanation for why Lando pushed Max onto the grass at the Spanish GP!

[@Miamiburaz]

Your the one that's dirty Zak!

[@JDRacing-j2v]

how?

[@nickpol2478]

Because he complains... Just admid that the team.and Lando. Made faults instead of complaining... When they made no faults they would be wdc

[@stephaniebrown1238]

Zak is part of the reason McLaren survived....they were days away from going out of the game . His nous for bringing money in saved McLaren. He grew up being a fan of ayrton and McLaren and got to lead the team he supported back to the top.....must have been sweet....happy for him and the team

[@TopseCret_101]

I’m always surprised that Zak Brown can open his mouth without shoving food in it.

[@POVRR3]

Mclaren failed to make a driver champion, next year isn't clear yet, maybe 2024 is their only chance and bottled it. If Lewis can beat Charles then there are 5 drivers contending for a championship in 2025. Mclaren team should have a clear strategy this time.

[@alicekoppenol-pitti6257]

Tell you what. There's a lovely young lady that made an interesting stat. Every driver that was runner-up to Max in a championship ended up fifth or lower the year after. Lewis. 2021 second. 2022 sixth. Charles 2022 second 2023 fifth Checo. 2023 second 2024. Eight. Guess who's runner up to Max this year. 2025 is going to be interesting because I rate Oscar more than I do Lando. Oscar is more straightforward and doesn't resort to underhanded comments.

[@jahblessin3996]

Maybe if lando had that killer instinct like max you (he) would be world champion. Congratulations on barely winning the constructors championship tho.

[@cablexl]

And just like that I’m hoping McLaren shits the bed next year. Sorry Oscar

[@radeoradeo5743]

Zak is one of the main reasons I can stand McLaren at all. McLaren was the team I rooted for most of my life,leaded by Ron and Martin. It was THE racing team. Now it’s a team which leader can’t face the truth that it was HIS team which f’ uped Lando’s chances by playing “good guys” and letting Oscar grab precious championship points. And now this guy is saying they loose cause of dirty driving) absolutely pathetic. Ron would never be this low and delusional.

[@andyverso3862]

Zak brown on a £26mn annual salary but still obviously paying economy+ WiFi speed package.

[@deeshmond]

Two things can be true at once… Max was dirty many times this year (as he has been in the past) but he was also clearly the best driver. Lando was not at that same level.

[@vVeazel]

You can only expect cheap remarks like this from Zak, a true egotistical American.

[@mamavswild]

ok but, you mean to tell me that the brits are not egotistical? that is ALL THEY ARE LOL

[@stevie802]

i really don't like Zak. very little respect towards other drivers.

[@ClinicalDecisionYikesYT]

You lost Lando his first WDC.

[@Felgenfahrt]

Lando and McLaren are to blame 50/50 for that

[@wokelefty]

Lando isn't ready just yet. He needed to learn the lessons from max this Yr (dirty wins championships). Maybe next Yr he'll learn to get his elbows out.

[@Felgenfahrt]

@@wokelefty spot on. If he‘d been paying attention during 2021, he could‘ve learned this already: You‘re so far behind in the WDC that it‘s pretty much impossible to wrap up? Well then, would be a shame if we dropped the nice guy act und just punted out the Championshipleader violently, gaining +26 points in the process. This has always been the way to a title if you‘ve dropped the ball on your driving (Hamilton in Imola 2021, Baku etc) and are behind as a result of it, or if your car has suddenly decided to moonwalk back towards the midfield (Max in 2024). You can‘t win in those scenarios by just driving cleanly.

[@Lanse1984]

​@@wokeleftyDirty? Max outdrove the entire field with the 3rd best car lol

[@gerardcrabb4556]

McLaren need to race hard with Max if pushed wide keep racing and make up penalty if drivers swap just do it and fight for position at end of race...

[@marcs6338]

I think everyone’s forgetting, under pressure without the fastest car, rather than desperate it’s dirty lazy driving from a guy that knows better (as one of the best drivers the sports seen) Max fan, Lewis fan Anyway, let’s see how it goes next year with a more even playing field (hope)

[@Lanse1984]

Max will do whatever he needs to to win. Max though, has never intentionally punted someone off the track

[@faubourglincoln]

Where he talks about Max?

[@TheSpawnAngel]

Naaah sorry mr. Brown, but no. Stepping your dirty game up to the competitor is not how you show character. If you want to show character, then do the opposite. Yes, you are just playing the game and there is nothing wrong with it, but don't try to sell this bullshit: they dirty so we dirty. You dirty cos you dirty. Everything else are just excuses. And btw, would love to see the so called friendly rivalry with Ferrari once the stakes are real, you are fighting entire season for WDC and have a few crashes on the track.

[@darrellborder8555]

Oscar leaves Norris in the dust next year!

[@nfpnone8248]

The truth is that if McLaren understood how to work as a team they would have won both championships! They spent too much time competing against each other and cost them valuable points which cost Norris the drivers championship and almost cost them the constructors championship. It’s insane that the driver second on the grid, who is on the same team as the driver on the pole, would jeopardize the race by fighting for the lead on the first turn of the first lap! If Paistri wanted to lead the race, he should have won pole, not try to take position from his teammate going into the first turn. I’m not saying they should have team rules to prevent Paistri from winning the race over Norris. What I’m saying is to set up the race together during the initial laps to build a gap with the other teams, then let the chips fall where they may as the race unfolds, and whichever driver has the good fortune and pace that race wins without dispute. If they had even tried to work as a team, Norris would be drivers championship. I know there are a lot of Paistri fans, but how many poles has Paistri won?

[@gv6206]

Lap 1 is often the best time to make a move. How many time has Lando kept pole after the first lap? 3? That's not good enough for someone who wants to win a WDC. Piastri is rightfully taking advantage of Norris' inability to get a good start and lead the race from there. Norris has only himself to blame for throwing away a load of points by not converting wins he should have easily been able to get from pole.

[@nfpnone8248]

@ I’m not even going to respond, as you totally missed my point!

[@rfmchannel1249]

U need Max to make famous

[@rocco4213]

Zak's not the only one in F1 thinks Max is dirty. Stopped following redbull ever since their shitshow between Seb and Mark. Haven't bought a sing can of redbull since 2021.

[@silvina6287]

Oscar Piastri also gave McLaren a lots of points. And even in the race after bieng hit he recovered. He is a great pilot. He should have been more in rhe celebrations. Zac was parting more with other drivers than with Oscar and Lando. I do not like Zac......well not too fan of McLaren since Ayrton and Prost

[@RussellTurner]

Get Bernie on.

[@Tegneaufreak]

Shocked F1? They were in a ditch and for 10 years trying to crawl out, what do you mean “shocked”? 😂

[@MrZewustyle]

What a PC hypocrite Zak ! Talking about healthy racing with Ferrari.. And dirty drivers... How dirty was it to loose against Max, not in the best car ?

[@brendanganser130]

My guy you edited your comment and still chose weird grammar and misspelling. There’s healthy racing and there’s hard racing, both win championships in the right moments. You’ll realize in time

[@masrimus1607]

Max drives dirty. It's FACT

[@nickpol2478]

​@@masrimus1607 goes for the win....

[@sghitza1]

He was talking about F1 politics and he made an analogy. But I think you're smart enough and I don't have to explain you that. 😂😂😂

[@EpigTheEpicPig]

@@masrimus1607 No, that's an OPINION. One you may feel very strongly about, but that doesn't make something a fact. It's a subjective matter, there is no definition or checklist for the word 'dirty' in this context. So argue for it all you want, that's ok, but fact and opinion are actually very clearly defined.

[@joesoy9185]

McLaren to UAE ???

[@petef15]

Tl;dr Perez.

[@jordez1]

This is so more gratifying than a single person championship, well done you all McClaren team👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Greetings from Texas😊

[@CaviesPWN]

I cant stand zak brown, he sounds like a karen, i used to have respect for the guy but its just disappointing to hear hom talk about verstappen, like eatch rivalries between like senna and prost, there was always aggressive and sometimes "dirty" driving in the heat of those battles too.

[@Richard.Hybels]

Great to have a guy with “no accent” getting interviewed a lot. Nothing wrong with any accent just a nice break for my California ears. Seems just like a guy I might chat with at the track.

[@arulrana4048]

do you realise amarican accent exists? and he is talking in that accent

[@chopchai6205]

Rivalidad? Jajaajajajjajjaja lo hizo mierda. Nunca tuvo oportunidad.