Brown criticizes Red Bull for failing to control Verstappen in Austrian GP incident

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Silverstone, Great Britain — McLaren CEO Zak Brown has expressed his belief that the collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris during the Austrian Grand Prix could have been averted had Red Bull's leadership intervened sooner.

The incident, which occurred as Norris and Verstappen were battling for the lead, led to punctures for both drivers and ultimately forced Norris to retire from the race.

While Norris appears to have moved past the incident, Brown contends that the situation could have been avoided if either the stewards or Red Bull had cautioned Verstappen earlier for his aggressive driving.

"Until someone tells Max that that's against the regulations, he's not going to know any different," Brown pointed out. "So I think there were missed opportunities for the stewards to make note."

Brown further criticized Red Bull's approach, remarking, "Also disappointed that such a great team like Red Bull, that the leadership almost encourages it, because you listen on the radio and what was said. We all have a responsibility on the pit wall to tell our drivers the dos and don'ts and what's going on in the race. I think we need to have respect in the regulations."

Brown seemed to be referring to a radio exchange between Verstappen, his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Following the race, Horner was heard saying: "He didn't behave correctly there, Max. Desperately unlucky but you did your very best."

The McLaren CEO did not hold back, drawing parallels between this incident and Red Bull's other controversies, including their 2021 cost cap breach and the strained relationship between Horner and Verstappen's father, Jos.

"We've seen a lack of respect, whether it be financial regulations, or sporting on-track issues with fathers and things of that nature. I just don't think that's how we need to go racing, and we need to guide our drivers on what's right or wrong. I think had it been addressed earlier, maybe that incident wouldn't have taken place. So racing incident, but I think could have been avoided if the pit wall and the stewards had been more on top of what you can or can't do."

When asked if he intended to discuss the matter directly with Horner, Brown stated, "That's the FIA's role. I don't have an interest in speaking with Christian."

Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for causing the collision, a decision that Brown deemed appropriate, given the circumstances.

"You're supposed to give a driver a car's width and he didn't. It was unfortunate. It could have just been a small rub and carried on. But I thought that was the right penalty because that's what the rulebook says. Again, I think Max is an awesome racing driver, fighting for the lead. It's our responsibility as teams to let the drivers know what the limits are. If you don't, I wouldn't expect Max to do anything differently."

Brown's views underscore the broader conversation about driving conduct and team responsibilities in the high-stakes world of Formula 1 racing.

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