Breaking: McLaren F1 Boss Zak Brown Responds to IndyCar Following Ch…read more
McLaren F1 Boss Zak Brown Responds to IndyCar Cheating Scandal as Penalties Are Enforced
McLaren Formula 1 chief Zak Brown has voiced strong concerns following a major cheating scandal that has rocked IndyCar, expressing disappointment over the impact it could have on the integrity of motorsport.
The controversy emerged during the Indy 500 qualifying shoot-out last weekend, where Team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power were disqualified after their cars were found to contain illegally modified components. The team initially withdrew the drivers from the session before IndyCar officials confirmed their removal from the standings, pushing both to the back of the grid.
Speaking to The Associated Press, Brown said, “It’s a shame this cloud will continue to hang over such a prestigious race until the issue is fully addressed.”
This incident marks the second consecutive year Team Penske has been involved in a major rules violation. In 2024, the team was penalized after its drivers gained unauthorized access to the push-to-pass system during the season opener at St. Petersburg, resulting in Newgarden being stripped of his win.
Brown, whose Arrow McLaren team is also competing in this year’s Indy 500, emphasized the need for accountability.
“I, along with other team owners, am deeply concerned that Team Penske has once again been found guilty of a major multi-car technical breach,” Brown said. “While honest mistakes do happen in racing—whether due to mechanical miscalculations or manufacturing issues—I don’t believe that’s the case here or last year. This situation raises serious questions about the team’s decision-making and integrity.”
In response, IndyCar has fined the team $100,000, deducted qualifying points from both drivers, and suspended strategists Tim Cindric and Ron Ruzewski for the remainder of May.
The 2025 Indy 500, one of motorsport’s three legendary races alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will go ahead on Sunday, May 25, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—though the scandal threatens to overshadow the event.
