F1 Conference Politeness - On-Track Passion: Brown’s Stance

Zak Brown supports banning swearing in press conferences while advocating for unfiltered driver expression during intense on-track F1 battles.

Zak Brown believes Formula 1 could benefit from a bit more politeness from drivers in certain situations. The McLaren F1 CEO is convinced it’s avoidable during press conferences, which the FIA penalized last year.

“I agree with preventing swearing in certain circumstances, such as during a press conference where everything is calm, with no emotions involved. There’s no reason to swear,” said Brown.

“You don’t see Michael Jordan in the NBA—I know he hasn’t played for a while—but you don’t see athletes or managers dropping F-bombs in press conferences. I think it’s inappropriate, and we should set the example.”

However, the American believes drivers should be free to express themselves during on-track battles: “When you’re wearing the helmet and in the heat of the moment, I imagine that on a football or baseball field, there’s a lot we don’t hear because there’s no mic.”

“We have the power to hit the delay button or erase the broadcast. It’s as simple as pressing the delete button to decide whether it airs on TV. If we don’t like it or think it’s too much or too inappropriate, we just don’t broadcast it.”

“I think showing emotion, passion, and intensity is a good thing. A little is fine, but we have the power, in the production studio, to press the pause button. That’s how you solve the issue. It would be unrealistic to say you can’t swear when wearing the helmet.”