Zak Brown believes Max Verstappen is “one of the best ever” drivers in the history of F1, and yet the McLaren boss doubts the Dutchman would be in contention for the world title this season in any other car than a Red Bull.
The recent announcement of the departure from Red Bull of legendary designer Adrian Newey and the current speculation surrounding Max Verstappen's future have ignited a debate in the F1 paddock – who is more important for success: the driver or the car?
Brown threw fuel on the fire in a recent interview with Tom Clarkson on the latter’s Beyond the Grid podcast.
While acknowledging the need for both, the McLaren Racing chief emphasized the importance of a strong car.
"Well, ultimately, you need both," Brown said when asked if he would rather have a outstanding designer or a star driver.
"I don't think without a star driver, you're gonna win, so you need both. First, it does start with the car - people ask me all the time: 'is it car or driver?' And it's like: 'well, it's both'”.
Brown believes that a multitude of drivers on the grid could win the championship at the wheel of Red Bull’s dominant machine.
But conversely, Verstappen would not prevail this season with another team according to the American.
"But I think the way I characterise it is I think there are six, seven drivers on the grid that would be world champions in the Red Bull.
"And as great as Max is - and he's one of the best ever - I don't think Max wins the world championship today in any other car other than the Red Bull.
"But then, when you look at the difference - and Sergio Perez is an excellent racing driver, who's shown on his day that he can run with Max - but look at the difference there.
"So, I think you need both, because as Formula 1 gets closer, and Max is doing such a special job, but look at what's going on from P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, one day we're P2, next day we're P5 and it's all moving around.
“So the cars are so close, that that's when the driver is going to make the difference. So you need both, at the end of the day."
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