Zak Brown Slams Red Bull for Encouraging Verstappen’s Aggression After Austria Clash with Norris

Zak Brown claims that Red Bull promotes Max Verstappen's aggressive driving tactics.

Zak Brown takes a shot at Red Bull following the incident between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in Austria.

McLaren F1 boss Zak Brown has criticized Red Bull for "virtually endorsing" Max Verstappen's aggressive driving approach after his incident with Lando Norris in Austria.

The initial significant clash between Verstappen and Norris happened when they collided during an intense fight for the win at the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend. This incident ruined both drivers’ chances of securing a victory.

Verstappen and Norris have minimized the incident and maintain that their friendship is unaffected. However, McLaren's chief, Brown, thinks the collision was preventable and proposed the idea of having a permanent team of stewards.

During Friday's FIA press conference at Silverstone, Zak Brown commented on the thrilling nature of the race, noting that it captivated both fans and everyone involved in Formula 1. Speaking to Crash.net in the paddock, he observed that it was only a matter of time before the two drivers faced off directly.

"It was clearly an unfortunate result from a minor contact. However, as we look back on the weekend, it's evident that we need to enhance our stewarding, a view shared by the FIA, to achieve better consistency and regulation enforcement."

"It's challenging for stewards to perform their duties on a part-time basis, given the high demands of F1. Max and Lando were simply competing as one would anticipate."

"Max won't realize he's breaking the rules unless someone informs him. I believe the stewards missed chances to address this. It's also disheartening that a top team like Red Bull seems to promote this behavior, as evidenced by their radio communications."

A duty falls on everyone at the pit wall to guide our drivers on the rules and race developments. Therefore, it's crucial to uphold respect for the regulations. We've observed instances of disrespect, whether it's related to financial rules or on-track disputes involving parents and similar matters.

"I believe that isn't the appropriate way to race. We should be directing our drivers on the correct conduct. If this had been dealt with sooner, perhaps the incident could have been avoided."

"It was a racing incident, but I believe it could have been prevented if the pit wall and the stewards had better managed the rules and actions allowed."

When questioned about the suitable penalty for Verstappen, Brown responded: "I believe the given penalty was fair. Drivers are required to leave enough space for a car, which he failed to do."

"It was a regrettable situation. It might have only been a minor contact, allowing the race to continue. However, I believe the penalty was justified as it aligns with the rulebook. Nonetheless, I still think Max is an exceptional driver, competing fiercely for the top position."

“It’s up to us as teams to inform the drivers about the boundaries. Without this guidance, I wouldn’t anticipate Max changing his behavior.”

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