Brown: Without Verstappen, Red Bull would trail sister team

©RedBull

40

McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown has stirred the Formula 1 pot once again – this time by claiming that Red Bull Racing would be trailing their sister team Racing Bulls on Sundays if not for Max Verstappen’s sheer brilliance.

The four-time world champion has been the linchpin of Red Bull’s success since 2021, leaving teammates like Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda in the shadows of his blistering pace.

But with whispers of a potential blockbuster move to Mercedes, Brown didn’t hold back when asked about Red Bull’s reliance on their star driver. The McLaren CEO’s words are sure to raise eyebrows and fuel the rumor mill ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Verstappen: A One-Man Powerhouse

“They’d probably be behind [Racing Bulls],” Brown told Sky Sports F1 when quizzed about where Red Bull would rank without Verstappen.

“They [Racing Bulls] have done a great job and have got a great racing car. I think Max is carrying them at the moment.”

And Brown is not wrong to point out the contrast. Racing Bulls has been punching above its weight, with young gun Isack Hadjar sitting 11th in the drivers’ championship with 21 points, outpacing teammate Liam Lawson’s 12.

Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda is stuck on 10 points, mired in a point-less streak not seen from a Red Bull driver since Mark Webber’s dry spell in 2009. Tsunoda hasn’t scored since Imola, a four-race drought that’s raising questions once again about Red Bull’s supporting cast.

Brown, never one to shy away from a bit of cheek, couldn’t resist stoking the fire around Verstappen’s future.

With rumors swirling about a possible jump to Mercedes, he added fuel to the speculation with a sly grin.

Read also: Brundle suspects ‘something is up’ in Verstappen-Mercedes intrigue

“You’re never totally sure. I’m a believer of where there’s smoke there’s fire,” he said.

“If everyone was committed to their seats next year, that’s what everyone would be saying. The fact that everyone is talking, no one is confirming anything, tells me there definitely are conversations going on.”

"I wouldn’t be surprised to see Max in a Mercedes"

But Brown wasn’t done. He doubled down, hinting at a seismic shift in the driver market.

“I think I said a while ago I wouldn’t be surprised to see Max in a Mercedes. I don’t think that’s out of the question,” he declared.

Ever the strategist, he added a playful jab: “I think I’d rather see Max in a Red Bull at the moment than in a Mercedes because he’s doing an unbelievable job of course.

“This is what Formula 1 is. I think stay tuned. There might be another chapter to this story.”

With Verstappen’s future hanging in the balance and Red Bull’s fortunes seemingly tied to their star driver, the stage is set for a thrilling twist in the F1 saga.

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

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.