McLaren CEO Zak Brown has insisted the reigning Formula 1 champions will never become a team that revolves around one driver, like Red Bull with Max Verstappen.
The Woking-based squad is poised to end the hold Verstappen has had on the Drivers’ title since 2021 as he lies 49 points behind Lando Norris with three races to go.
But while Verstappen has capitalised on Red Bull’s late-season revival to remain in contention at this stage, Yuki Tsunoda has continued to struggle in the sister RB21.
The Japanese driver has scored 25 points in 19 races since replacing Liam Lawson three rounds into 2025 and has tended to be resigned to running older-spec parts.
Tsunoda has been unable to buck a trend that has seen the second seat at Red Bull become renowned as a poisoned chalice since Daniel Ricciardo departed in 2018.
Red Bull’s intention to maximise Verstappen’s prospects is at odds with the approach McLaren has, where both Norris and Oscar Piastri are given equal opportunities.
And Brown, who penned a new deal until 2030 last March, is adamant that it won’t change while he continues to lead the team alongside McLaren boss Andrea Stella.
“It’s the McLaren way. Remember Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost,” Brown told The Telegraph, in reference to the iconic rivalry between the Brazilian and the Frenchman.
Brown has recognised that McLaren’s stance does make incidents between the team’s drivers inevitable, as has been the case on several occasions in this campaign.
“They’re not allowed any [clashes]! But it’s racing and it’s going to happen,” he acknowledged. “We cool down afterwards then discuss it.”
Heading into this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, Norris harbours a 24-point advantage over team-mate Piastri, who is on a wretched five-race run without a podium.
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