Max Verstappen 'Carrying Red Bull At The Moment', Says McLaren Boss Brown

Last Updated:July 03, 2025, 16:20 IST

Brown dismissed claims that the F1 championship is a two-horse race between Piastri and Norris, emphasizing Verstappen's strong contention.

Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen (AFP)

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has pushed back against suggestions that the Formula One championship has become a two-horse race between his drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, while emphasizing that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen remains a strong contender for the title.

Following 11 of the season’s 24 races, Piastri leads the standings, holding a 15-point advantage over teammate Norris. Verstappen, the reigning four-time world champion, sits 61 points behind the Australian.

After Verstappen was taken out on the opening lap of the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner admitted the championship battle may already be slipping away.

“It looks very much like a two-horse race. They [McLaren] have got a cushion to the rest of the field," Horner told reporters, acknowledging McLaren’s current edge over the competition.

Speaking at a McLaren fan event in London’s Trafalgar Square, Brown maintained that the championship remains far from decided.

“I think it’s a four, maybe even a five-horse race," said the American executive. “We’re in a great position, but we know how quickly things can change in Formula One. Max isn’t that far behind—and he’s that awesome. Then George [Russell] isn’t far behind him, and you can see Mercedes is getting tougher and tougher. They’re not far away.

“And nor is Ferrari. So I think [Charles] Leclerc, Max, and George—it’s way too early to rule them out of the race."

Verstappen Carrying Red Bull

Brown also reiterated Verstappen’s critical role at Red Bull, crediting him with holding the team together amid increasing pressure from rivals.

“Red Bull would be behind Racing Bulls without Verstappen," Brown stated. “They’ve done a great job and have a great racing car. I think Max is carrying them at the moment."

Verstappen to Mercedes Move Still in Play

Speculation continues to swirl around Verstappen’s future, with Mercedes openly acknowledging discussions with the Dutch star. While a move in 2025 remains uncertain, 2027 is increasingly viewed as a realistic timeline.

“There’s a lot of noise," Brown said. “I’m a believer that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. No one’s really denying anything. No one’s made a firm ‘I’m going to be in this car next year.’

“So in my experience, and reading the tea leaves, I feel like something’s going on—maybe something’s even already done. It’s what makes Formula One fun—there’s always a storyline for everyone to follow. So I think I stand by my prediction."

(with agency inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location :

First Published:

News sports Max Verstappen 'Carrying Red Bull At The Moment', Says McLaren Boss Brown