Max Verstappen has said he would take a very different approach if he were running his own Formula 1 team, making it clear he would not manage things the way Zak Brown does at McLaren. His comments come after a season in which Red Bull and McLaren emerged as fierce rivals, both on track and philosophically.
The 2025 title fight highlighted just how contrasting the two teams are in structure and mindset. While both were competing at the front, their internal dynamics could hardly have been more different, adding another layer of intrigue to their rivalry.
At Red Bull, the hierarchy is clear. The team is openly built around Verstappen, with senior figures acknowledging without hesitation that he is the undisputed number one driver. This clarity, Verstappen believes, provides focus and direction across the organisation.
McLaren, by contrast, has consistently promoted a more balanced approach. Zak Brown and the team’s leadership have stressed that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are treated as equals, famously describing them as “two number ones” rather than prioritising a single lead driver.
Verstappen has hinted that this philosophy is not one he would personally adopt. While he respects McLaren’s success, his comments suggest he believes a clearly defined leadership structure, similar to Red Bull’s, is a more effective way to operate at the sharp end of Formula 1.
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