Max Verstappen, a young four-time world champion, took great pleasure in reminding Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, of certain comments he had made at the start of the season.
According to the CEO of the British team, Max Verstappen won everything in F1, thanks to his car. Zak Brown then claimed that “six or seven pilots ” could have won the title if they had the Red Bull of Max Verstappen.
The McLaren CEO said on the Beyond The Grid podcast: “I don't think without a star driver you're going to win, so you need both. First of all, it starts with the car – people ask me all the time: 'is it the car or the driver?' And I tell them: Well, it's both. I think there are six or seven drivers on the grid who will be world champions with Red Bull.”
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“As great as Max is, and he's one of the best of all time. I don't think Max wins the world championship today in any car other than Red Bull.”
After winning a fourth world title this weekend in Las Vegas, Zak Brown interrupted an interview with Max Verstappen on Sky Sports to congratulate him. The Red Bull driver then couldn't help but remind Brown of his old comments.
Brown : “Congratulations ”
Verstappen : “You pushed us all the way!”
Brown : “We did it, but you deserved it. Four world championships. Now you have beaten my Senna.”
Verstappen : “Like you said, before I could only win it with the fastest car, but this year it’s a little different.”
Brown : “Exactly (laughs). Well done.”
Zak Brown and McLaren have reason to console themselves at the end of the season. Indeed, the British team is still at the top of the constructors' standings and could well win the title at the end of the season.
Read also: The F1 2024 rankings after Las Vegas: Verstappen Champion, Ferrari returns
