Zak Brown lauds Ferrari’s one-stop bet as bold yet effective, shaping Monza’s thrilling race outcome.
Zak Brown wasn’t unhappy to see Ferrari win in Italy, although he would obviously have preferred Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri to triumph. The McLaren F1 CEO acknowledges that the Scuderia’s strategy was best for Charles Leclerc, Sunday’s winner, and explains why his team didn’t dare apply it.
“It was close, Ferrari took the one-stop gamble and it worked for Charles. Hats off to him, he drove really well, he was fast, he’s always fast in a race. It was close at the end, but we just missed a little bit,” said the American.
“It wasn’t a surprise, because we discussed it and we felt it was better not to try. They did it and they had nothing to lose because at worst they would be third. But they did it and it worked, and it’s good to see a Ferrari win at Monza.”
Unlike Andrea Stella, who was skeptical about Piastri overtaking Norris, Brown seems pleased with how his drivers adhered to the Papaya Rule, a guideline that emerged today and which he reveals.
“Just ‘don’t touch each other’, and that’s what they did. It’s a beautiful, intense battle. That’s what happens when you have two number one drivers, they want to win the race,” continues Brown, before explaining the Papaya Rule: “Race each other with respect, give each other space, don’t touch. And that’s what they did.”
McLaren had no problem not giving instructions to its duo at Monza, but Brown is ready to reconsider the stance.
“We focus on the best possible results every weekend. Lando made some mistakes along the way that took him out of the race, and we let them fight until the end. But things might change, Andrea (Stella) will tell you more.”
Brown sees his team in a confirmed position of strength to try to overturn Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen for the world titles.
How does he explain such a downturn for his competitors?
“Ultimately, I don’t know what’s going on inside there. Adrian Newey, I bet it would be good for them to have him around the conference table right now to see how to improve the car, and Jonathan Wheatley is still there but he’s moving on. Rob Marshall has joined us.”
“You have three of the most experienced people who were at Red Bull—three huge contributors. It can’t not be a loss. We all had bad pit stops, but it seems things are a bit more unsettled than they have been recently.”
Brown also categorically ruled out once more a transfer of Newey to his team while rumors announce him at Aston Martin F1.
“He always reminds me when I try to reach him. We’re good friends but as I said, I am very happy with the racing team I have.”
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Brown Praises Ferrari’s Risky Monza Strategy Brown Praises Ferrari’s Risky Monza Strategy
