F1 CONTROVERSY: McLaren boss Zak Brown BLASTS a Popular F1

“Zak Brown Criticizes Helmut Marko’s Comments on Lando Norris and Mental Health”

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has expressed his disapproval of recent comments made by Red Bull’s Helmut Marko regarding Lando Norris and his mental health. The controversy erupted after the United States Grand Prix, a race marked by a dramatic battle between championship contenders Norris and Max Verstappen. While Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured victory ahead of his teammate Carlos Sainz, the main focus shifted to the fight for the final spot on the podium, where Verstappen and Norris went wheel-to-wheel.

With just a handful of laps remaining, Norris overtook Verstappen, seemingly securing third place. However, because Norris had gone off-track during the maneuver after being pushed wide by the Red Bull driver, he received a five-second penalty. As a result, their positions were reversed at the chequered flag, allowing Verstappen to retain third place and extend his lead in the championship to 57 points with five races left in the season.

After the race, Helmut Marko, a prominent figure in the Red Bull camp, made comments that stirred up debate. Speaking to Motorsport-Magazin.com, Marko discussed who he believed was the favorite for the championship and appeared critical of Norris. “[Max] is the best, he’s the fastest and, above all, he has the mental strength to theoretically fight for the world championship more than Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris,” said Marko.

Marko went on to claim that Norris exhibited mental “weaknesses,” pointing to specific rituals Norris uses to prepare for race day. The comments were interpreted as a reference to Norris’ previous admissions about his struggles with anxiety ahead of Formula 1 races. Norris has been open in discussing his mental health battles, becoming an advocate for mental health awareness.

The remarks by Marko did not sit well with McLaren’s Zak Brown, who criticized the Red Bull boss for being out of touch with how mental health is understood today. Brown, speaking to Autosport.com, accused Marko of setting the sport “back 10-20 years” with his comments.

“I read Helmut’s comments, which I thought were disappointing but not surprising,” Brown said. “Lando has been an ambassador for mental health, and we’ve tried to talk about and bring this issue to the forefront. Poking at that situation I think is pretty inappropriate and kind of sets us back 10-20 years.”

Brown emphasized that McLaren, along with others in the sport, has made strides in recognizing and addressing mental health challenges. He referenced Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who has also spoken openly about the pressures and mental health concerns in Formula 1.

For Brown, mental health is a serious issue, and he believes that figures in the sport should be more sensitive when addressing it. “It’s all fun and games in how some people go racing and what tactics they use from a sporting perspective, but I thought that one was in pretty poor taste,” Brown added.

Norris has often spoken candidly about his experiences with anxiety and the pressures of being a top-level athlete in one of the most demanding sports in the world. His openness has resonated with many fans, and he has received widespread praise for helping to reduce the stigma around mental health in motorsport.

As the Formula 1 season reaches its final stages, tensions remain high, not only on the track but also off it, with the psychological aspect of the sport coming into sharper focus. While Verstappen remains firmly in control of the championship, the battles—both mental and physical—between him, Norris, and other drivers are sure to continue generating headlines.