P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Zak Brown has continued his tour of discussing Max Verstappen and the speculation that the Dutchman will leave Red Bull for Mercedes.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has stated he finds the idea of Max Verstappen pairing up with Mercedes “pretty comfortable” to understand. While being vocal about Verstappen’s situation at Red Bull, Brown believes it’s preferable for the Dutchman to remain with Red Bull.
Acknowledging Verstappen’s role in bolstering Red Bull, Brown highlighted that without him, the team would trail behind their sister team, Racing Bulls, in the rankings. Amid growing speculation surrounding Verstappen possibly seeking a switch to Mercedes, discussions between his camp and Mercedes, led by Toto Wolff, may revolve around the reforms expected in F1 by 2026 or 2027.
Expressing concerns about Mercedes’ upward trajectory following the impending regulations overhaul, Brown fears the team could gain a competitive edge. With McLaren being a Mercedes power unit user, Brown is wary of Mercedes dominating akin to their successful debut in the turbo-hybrid era of 2014. Brown would find it uncomfortable to imagine Verstappen competing for Mercedes due to his remarkable talent and the substantial blow his departure would deal to Red Bull.
