Brown sets the record straight on McLaren junior driver's bold claim

Zak Brown denies that McLaren is committed to delivering an F1 drive to juniors Lando Norris and Nyck de Vries if either one wins the Formula 2 title this year.

De Vries claimed last week that it was written in his contract that a full time drive with McLaren in F1 would be the young hopeful's reward for winning this year's F2 championship, insisting the same deal applied to Norris.

A very surprised Zak Brown, upon hearing the alleged comments, set the record straight however.

Can McLaren keep its promises to its junior drivers?

"That is not an accurate reflection of the conversation," Brown said in Bahrain.

"But Nyck's a very good driver and McLaren will always look to put the two best drivers that it can in the car.

"No one has any promises from McLaren verbally or contractually as to who is going to be in our car in 2019," he added.

Queried once on the subject and asked for his reaction, de Vries dug his heels into the ground.

"Unfortunately I can't," responded the 23-year-old in Bahrain.

"You shouldn't ask anything else about it because I cannot answer."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.