Motorsport photoAlex HarringtonFri, November 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM UTC·5 min readMcLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has likened Red Bull's Max Verstappen to a horror movie villain as he admitted the team never believed the Dutchman was out of the championship running.
With the final two rounds of the 2025 Formula 1 season beginning this weekend in Qatar, Lando Norris leads the drivers' standings by 24 points, with team-mate Oscar Piastri and Verstappen in a tie behind him. This gap between Norris and the reigning champion became tighter after the Woking team was disqualified for excessive plank wear at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpeaking on The Sports Agents podcast, Brown admitted that Verstappen's relentless pursuit of perfection has meant that McLaren never thought they were safe.
“He's like that guy in that horror movie that right as you think he's not coming back, he's back. So what an unbelievable talent he is. He never makes mistakes. He seizes every opportunity.”
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingHe added, “We've never thought he was out. You know, when we were, I think at a 104-point lead on Max, people are like, 'oh, this is a done deal.' We've never thought it was a done deal. And here we are.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe disqualification after last weekend's race under the bright lights of the Strip, compounded by Verstappen's ability to seize every opportunity, has meant the championship is still wide open. But Brown is keen to look at it as just another kink in a long, successful season.
“And this is sport. You know, how many sports have we seen? I don't know if you followed the World Series. That looked like it was over until it wasn't. So I just think, that's why we don't get too upset about any one thing.
"It's just, it's sport. You learn, you live, you go again. Worrying about Vegas today is not going to make us faster tomorrow.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile Norris is ahead in the standings, both Verstappen and his Australian team-mate are firmly in contention. And with the final sprint race of the season on the Losail circuit, there are plenty of points to be had.
Photos from Qatar GP - Practice
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, WilliamsLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, AlpineZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, WilliamsAndrew Ferraro / LAT Images via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand arrives in the Paddock
Rio Ferdinand arrives in the PaddockSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLiam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls TeamAndrew Ferraro / LAT Images via Getty Images
Zak Brown, McLaren
Zak Brown, McLarenSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls TeamGuido De Bortoli
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Adrian Newey, Managing Technical Partner of Aston Martin F1 walks in the Paddock
Adrian Newey, Managing Technical Partner of Aston Martin F1 walks in the PaddockZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Carlos Sainz, WilliamsLars Baron / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberGuido De Bortoli
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls TeamLance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberGuido De Bortoli
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, SauberGuido De Bortoli
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenAndrew Ferraro / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenAndrew Ferraro / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenAndrew Ferraro / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenAndrew Ferraro / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenAndrew Ferraro / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenSteven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingSteven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, SauberGuido De Bortoli
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenSteven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, SauberZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariGuido De Bortoli
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls TeamSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenAndrew Ferraro / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenAndrew Ferraro / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGeorge Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberGuido De Bortoli
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenDom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images
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