BREAKING: Zak Brown Calls Max Verstappen “The W…read more
BREAKING: Zak Brown Calls Max Verstappen “The W…read more
McLaren CEO Zak Brown didn’t hold back during a recent rapid-fire interview with ESPN, naming Max Verstappen as the “worst loser” on the Formula 1 grid a reflection, he says, of the Red Bull driver’s intense dislike of being beaten.
Asked directly who he thought was the worst loser in the paddock, Brown replied with a smirk,
“Max doesn’t like to lose.”
The comment comes amid growing on-track tension between Red Bull and McLaren, as the two teams have emerged as the main title contenders in 2025. Verstappen, a four-time world champion, currently sits third in the drivers’ standings behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. After six races, the Dutchman has scored 99 points and engaged in several high-stakes battles with both McLaren drivers — a rivalry that has quickly intensified.
One of the flashpoints occurred at the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, when Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty for rejoining the track ahead of Piastri after going off at Turn 1. The decision cost him a likely victory, with Piastri finishing ahead thanks to the time penalty. Verstappen was visibly irritated but kept his radio messages measured, reportedly to avoid further punishment for inappropriate language.
McLaren defended Piastri’s actions, stating he had the right to the corner and was ahead at the apex. The incident only deepened the competitive friction between the two teams.
Zak Brown’s sharp remark adds another layer to the already heated rivalry, as McLaren continues to challenge Red Bull’s long-standing dominance — not just on track, but in the war of words as well.
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