Max Verstappen's 5-word response to being called a 'guy in the horror movie' by Zak Brown

Ahead of the Qatar GP weekend, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown had called Max Verstappen the guy in a horror movie that keeps coming back in respect to the drivers' championship saga. Subsequently, the reigning champion made a hilarious reply in response to Brown's comments and asserted that the 54-year-old should call him "Chucky."

At the Las Vegas GP, hopes of Verstappen fighting for the drivers' title come Abu Dhabi were minuscule as Lando Norris seemingly had a sufficient lead to round out the championship in Qatar. However, the double DSQ for McLaren threw a spanner in the works and brought the Dutchman well inside the firing range.

So, ahead of the Qatar GP, Brown had made the following comments:

"He's like that guy in a horror movie, that right as you think he's not coming back, he's back!"

Verstappen then won the Qatar Grand Prix and lined himself up for a considerable shot at the title in Abu Dhabi. So he was asked about his reaction to the McLaren Racing CEO's comments in the post-race press conference, to which he replied:

"He can call me Chucky!"

Verstappen further added:

"I don’t know. I saw it as well. I thought it was quite funny. From my side, I just focus on myself. I know that when I go in the car, I just try to do the best – like, I guess, everyone does. But, yeah, that’s the only thing I can control, right? And that’s the only thing I focus on."

Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri reach the season finale within 16 points of each other.

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Max Verstappen is excited for the 2025 drivers' championship showdown

Red Bull's Max Verstappen after winning the 2025 F1 Grand Prix of Qatar - Source: Getty

Max Verstappen has a 12-point deficit to Lando Norris reaching Abu Dhabi. To win the title, his best-case scenario is winning the race and Norris finishing fourth. Although the pair would be tied on points, the Red Bull driver will emerge victorious on the basis of more race wins scored throughout the season.

With an interesting season finale lining up, even Verstappen is excited for it, as he said in the post-race press conference:

"I'm excited. I mean, I'm happy to go there and have a go at it. But like I said before, you need to also be realistic, that I think on pure pace, we’re not at the same level. But at the same time, when strategy maybe comes into play or making the right calls at the right time, we might have the opportunity."

If Verstappen ends up taking the title in Abu Dhabi, it would be his fifth drivers' title and would match Michael Schumacher's record of most consecutive world championships scored at five world titles in a row.