Brown: Battle behind Verstappen will 'just get more exciting'

40

McLaren boss Zak Brown says Max Verstappen's supremacy won't remain unchecked forever, but in the interim the battle behind the Red Bull charger will "just get more exciting".

Red Bull has remained undefeated since F1's finale in Abu Dhabi at the end of last season, the Milton Keynes-based outfit extending its domination this year thanks to the aerodynamic superiority of its RB19.

While Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez traded wins in the first four events of 2023, the Dutchman is now in a league of his own, having delivered six consecutive victories the sum of which have put him 99 points ahead in the Drivers' championship.

Speaking to the media at last weekend's Festival of Speed at Goodwood, Brown praised Verstappen for his outstanding achievements this season, but underscored the massive battle that is unfolding among the Red Bull charger's pursuers.

Read also: Mercedes keen to closely analyse McLaren upgrades

"He's doing an unbelievable, unbelievable job and it is great to see World Champions at the top of their game so you got to admire what he's doing," commented the McLaren boss.

"But I think once you look past Max, the field is unbelievably condensed. I think it's just going to get more exciting as we move forward."

Brown says the incredibly tight competition is exactly what F1 is looking for, and the American hopes McLaren will be the team that will be able to break loose and take the challenge to Red Bull.

"The racing has been unbelievably close other than Max, and even Sergio is in the mix," he said.

"I think it's a great time for F1 that in one weekend you have one team that's second quickest and the following weekend they're struggling to get out of Q1.

"That's the competition that we're looking for in F1, so someone will eventually catch Max. Hopefully it'll be us, chances are it'll be a handful of people."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.