"Just stop Zak. You’re embarrassing an entire nation": Fans react to the McLaren team principal claiming Red Bull lacks respect for regulations

McLaren team boss Zak Brown recently spoke out against Red Bull, saying that the defending world champions do not follow FIA regulations. He claimed that the Austrian team does not tell its drivers what's right and wrong during on-track battles.

In recent races, defending world champion Max Verstappen was challenged hard by McLaren's Lando Norris. Ever since their major upgrade package at the 2023 F1 Austrian GP, McLaren have been on an upward trajectory. Coming into 2024, they have further reduced the gap to Red Bull, allowing Norris to attack the three-time world champion more effectively.

At the 2024 F1 Austrian GP, both Verstappen and Norris had an intense on-track battle which resulted in a small but damaging collision between the two. On Lap 64, Max Verstappen's rear left tire collided with Lando Norris' front wing and front right tire. Both cars suffered punctures, and the McLaren driver had to subsequently retire from the race due to front wing and axle damage.

Speaking in the press conference before the British GP, Zak Brown talked about the wheel-to-wheel battle between Verstappen and Norris. He initially said that it was quite entertaining for the fans, but added that Red Bull should guide its drivers in the right direction during on-track tussles. He urged that the FIA regulations should be followed more carefully by the teams.

"I think we need to have respect for regulations and we've seen there be lack of respect, whether it's financial regulations or you know sporting, on-track issues with fathers and things of that nature, and I just don't think that's how we need to go racing and we need to guide our drivers on what's right or wrong," Brown said.

Many fans seemed to have been left unimpressed with the McLaren head honcho's comments on Red Bull not following regulations. One asked Zak Brown to stop as he was embarrassing the entire British nation.

Just stop Zak. You’re embarrassing an entire nation," one fan wrote.

Others made comparisons between Brown and Mercedes' team boss Toto Wolff.

Honestly bring Toto back to the top. McLaren managers are pathetic," another chimed in.

"zak Brown is obsessed with Max even more than Toto is," someone added.

A few fans also shared their view that Zak Brown speaks more about Red Bull than his own team.

"Says the guy that constantly disrespects Max, what is wrong with him," a follower claimed.

"Bro talks about Red Bull more than he talks about his own team," another pointed out.

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McLaren boss shares his views on Max Verstappen and Lando Norris' tussle at the Austrian GP

McLaren team boss Zak Brown recently talked about the wheel-to-wheel racing between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the Austrian GP. Speaking in the press conference before the British GP, he appreciated the on-track battle and how it entertained fans. However, he shared that he was disappointed with the collision between the two that eventually ended the McLaren driver's race.

"Oh, the battle was quite an epic battle between some of the best drivers in Formula 1. So, it was quite an epic battle. Exciting for the fans, exciting for everyone in Formula 1. I think it was a matter of time until we saw the two of them going head-to-head. Obviously, an unfortunate outcome at what was a very small touch," Brown said.

After the Austrian GP, Max Verstappen leads the drivers' championship table with 237 points, while Lando Norris is on the chase in second place with 156 points.