Zak Brown couldn’t resist a playful jab at McLaren’s rivals following a triumphant performance at the Spanish Grand Prix.
In the midst of a season marked by intense scrutiny and competition, McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown displayed a touch of humor at the Spanish Grand Prix. His team, McLaren, comfortably secured a one-two finish, with Oscar Piastri clinching his fifth win of the season and Lando Norris right behind him. This performance further solidified McLaren’s dominance in the Constructors’ Championship, sitting 197 points clear at the top.
The Grand Prix not only showcased McLaren’s racing prowess but also highlighted their ability to adapt to new regulations introduced by Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA. These changes included stringent tests on rear and front wing flexing. However, despite these new Technical Directives, McLaren appeared unaffected. Their ‘mini-DRS’ design and strategy seemed to thrive under the regulations, much to the chagrin of their competitors.
Taking to social media, Zak Brown celebrated the team’s success with a bit of cheek: “Mega drive from Oscar & Lando. 1-2 it doesn’t get much better than that! Great strategy and pit stops,” he quipped, followed by praise for their ‘front wings’ and a grinning emoji. This was clearly a nod to the ongoing ‘flexi-wing’ discussions that have kept teams on edge throughout the season.
Meanwhile, the race itself provided insights into the dynamics between Piastri and Norris. Both drivers maintained impressive pace, with team principal Andrea Stella noting how ‘in parallel’ their performances were. Despite the energy demands of following closely behind a teammate, Norris managed his resources well, finishing just two and a half seconds behind Piastri. Stella praised Piastri’s growth over the past year, overcoming challenges that had previously hindered him.
In the wider F1 context, Max Verstappen’s troubles at the Spanish GP further accentuated McLaren’s success. Verstappen ended up in tenth place after receiving a 10-second penalty for a collision with George Russell. This incident places Verstappen’s title hopes under even more pressure as he increasingly lags behind McLaren’s duo.
Zak Brown’s witty remarks and McLaren’s outstanding performance at the Spanish Grand Prix highlight the team’s continued dominance this season, undeterred by new technical regulations. With Piastri and Norris leading the charge, McLaren seems poised to maintain their edge in the Constructors’ Championship.
