Max Verstappen confidantes hold a grudge against Zak Brown over ‘unflattering’ interview comments

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McLaren are reportedly interested in Max Verstappen, but some members of the Dutchman’s inner circle aren’t keen to work with Zak Brown.

It emerged last week that Brown is eyeing Verstappen, with Gianpiero Lambiase’s upcoming move to McLaren significantly strengthening his hopes. Lambiase will join in 2028 unless the teams negotiate an earlier move.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are under contract until at least the end of 2027, but McLaren may have the flexibility to do a deal thereafter. Brown feels he has the best line-up on the grid, but the opportunity to sign Verstappen, an all-time F1 great, is tempting nonetheless.

Max Verstappen may be advised not to join McLaren

Writing in his Pit Lane Chronicle newsletter, journalist Daniel Moxon says McLaren’s Lambiase move ‘opens the door’ for an ‘audacious’ Verstappen swoop. Indeed, they may now be the favourites ahead of Mercedes and Ferrari, should he decide to stay in F1 but join another team.

However, some in Verstappen’s camp ‘don’t like the idea’ of working under Brown after he made ‘unflattering’ comments about the four-time world champion.

In an interview with The Telegraph last year, Brown called Verstappen a ‘bruiser’ who is overly ‘aggressive’ on track and also labelled him ‘arrogant’.

Will Max Verstappen keep his word as Gianperio Lambiase leaves Red Bull?

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Brown contacted Verstappen immediately when that interview surfaced, wary that his statements were being taken out of context.

Verstappen’s closest confidantes are his father Jos and his manager Raymond Vermeulen, but it’s unclear who exactly is advising him not to join McLaren despite the ‘very juicy carrot’ of reuniting with Lambiase.

Zak Brown has compared Max Verstappen to Ayrton Senna

As he explained at the time, Brown meant to pay Verstappen a ‘compliment’ by calling him a bruiser. He uses the same term to describe Ayrton Senna, his ‘favourite driver of all time’.

Verstappen reminded Brown of Senna when he won the 2024 Brazilian GP from 17th on the grid, one of the greatest drives in F1 history.

Despite the recent rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull, there are signs that Verstappen and Brown have a healthy relationship.

Indeed, Verstappen’s entourage shouldn’t ignore the American’s clear admiration, even if he has occasionally been critical. It would be wrong to let a grudge dictate their guidance.