McLaren CEO Zak Brown has labelled Max Verstappen a “bruiser” in a blunt assessment of the reigning Formula 1 champion’s driving style.
Verstappen has earned a reputation as one of the greatest drivers of the sport’s modern era, with four straight titles in a glittering period of dominance with Red Bull.
Last year, the Dutchman was a thorn in the Woking-based squad’s side, fending off the challenge of Lando Norris to retain the title.
This year, it appears that Verstappen will finally relinquish his crown, and it will be to either Norris or McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
As McLaren rose from one of its lowest periods, the team has endured a fraught rivalry with Red Bull, spilling over onto their respective pit walls via former boss Christian Horner and Brown.
Asked if Red Bull is a team that plays dirty, Brown offered The Telegraph an honest summary of Verstappen’s on-track persona from his point of view.
“I don’t want to disparage Max…. He’s a four-time World Champion,” he said. “He can be a bruiser, too aggressive on track. His arrogance comes out.
“If you look at some of the greatest champions in Formula 1, they’ve had some arrogance about them. They get their elbows out.”
Many have given their assessments on Verstappen and his driving over the years, with many believing some manoeuvres performed have been beyond the realms of fairness.
When probed on whether he felt this was the case, Brown concurred, citing his 2021 Interlagos battle with Lewis Hamilton as a prime example.
“Max has crossed the line on track at times,” he said.
“In Brazil against Lewis Hamilton over time. A handful of his passes on Lewis were overly aggressive.”
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