McLaren CEO criticizes Red Bull for disrespecting regulations

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has criticised Red Bull Racing for allegedly flouting the strict regulations of Formula 1. The criticism comes after Max Verstappen and Lando Norris crashed in the closing stages of the Austrian Grand Prix.

That incident, coupled with Red Bull’s earlier breach of Formula 1’s cost cap rules in 2021, formed the crux of Brown’s argument. The controversy is further compounded by allegations of misconduct against Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, which Brown highlighted in a withering critique of Red Bull’s approach to leadership and compliance.

During the British Grand Prix weekend, Brown made the following comment to the media, as quoted by BBC Sport:

“We have to respect the rules and we’ve seen the lack of them, whether it’s financial rules or, you know, sporting rules, issues with fathers on the track and things like that.

“And I just don’t think that’s how we should be racing and we need to advise our drivers what’s right and what’s wrong.”

He added:

“Being a part-time steward is a very difficult, quite complex job, so being a part-time steward in Formula 1 is difficult because Max and Lando were just fighting, as you would expect them to.

“Until someone tells Max, ‘Hey, this is against the rules,’ he won’t know otherwise.

“So I think the stewards missed an opportunity to spot that.

“It’s also disappointing that in a great team like Red Bull the management almost encourages it because you listen to the radio and what’s being said. We all have a responsibility on the pit wall to tell our drivers what’s allowed and what’s not allowed and what’s happening in the race.”