Dec.3 (GMM) Zak Brown has moved to minimize any perceived rigidity between him and quadruple world champion Max Verstappen.
Brown, the McLaren CEO, approached the Purple Bull driver throughout a reside tv interview after clinching his fourth title in Las Vegas and instructed Verstappen “You earned it”.
“Such as you mentioned,” Verstappen replied, “earlier than I may solely win it within the quickest automotive. This yr has been somewhat bit totally different.”
Some regarded the second as revealing that the Dutch driver nonetheless doesn’t forgive Brown for his earlier feedback. “Max has an excellent sense of humour,” Brown has now instructed the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
“A joke like that’s a part of it, isn’t it? It’s only a disgrace that individuals typically misjudge it. I mentioned that he has now crushed my Senna man, after which I learn again that I in contrast Lando Norris with Ayrton Senna,” he defined.
“I used to be simply speaking about Senna, as a result of Max has been world champion extra typically than Ayrton now.”
There was loads of needle between Purple Bull and McLaren in 2024, however Brown insists that his relationship with 27-year-old Verstappen is definitely good.
“Do you bear in mind Max saying in Silverstone: ‘who’s Zak Brown?’ I despatched him a humorous message after that and mentioned ‘I need to introduce myself. You might not know me, however I’m in command of McLaren.’”
Verstappen’s ‘Who’s Zak Brown’ quip adopted a firestorm of criticism from the American in the direction of Purple Bull. However Brown says he by no means attacked Verstappen.
“Later within the season we additionally met in Monza,” Brown reveals. “I shook his hand and mentioned ‘Now you additionally know my face!’ A lot chaos is created on social media lately.
“And now, I didn’t take offense to what he mentioned in Las Vegas – are you loopy? I’m glad our relationship is nice. Max is a brilliant man, and I believe he is aware of how the sport is performed. It’s normally directed at Purple Bull, however not him.”
