Zak Brown reportedly reached out to Max Verstappen to clear the air on "out of context" comments

Zak Brown reportedly reached out to Max Verstappen to clear the air on "out of context" comments. According to a recent report by the Dutch Telegraph, the McLaren CEO sent Verstappen a message to dispel any future tensions.

Prior to the Las Vegas GP, excerpts about Verstappen and Red Bull from his book were taken and shared widely. As Brown started receiving flak for his comment, he reportedly decided to reach out to Verstappen to clear the air.

"I called him a bruiser, a fighter, but that's a compliment. That's what I call Ayrton Senna, too, and he's my favorite driver of all time," Brown said. (Via Dutch Telegraph.)

Following this, the McLaren CEO added that his comments were "taken out of context." However, Verstappen has yet to comment on this.

The Red Bull driver managed P2 on Saturday in wet conditions. He was over three-tenths slower than Lando Norris, the pole sitter. Verstappen will have to overtake Norris and go for the win if he has to keep his Championship chances alive.

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What did Zak Brown say about Max Verstappen?

In his book Seven Tenths of a Second: Life, Leadership and Formula 1, Zak Brown delivered a stern criticism against Red Bull and Max Verstappen. In the comments, Brown talked about the functionality of the Austrian team and how impactful Verstappen has been at Red Bull:

Max Verstappen at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix - Source: Getty Images

"The other example is Max Verstappen’s rule at Red Bull. I say ‘rule’ on purpose. Sometimes, way before Christian Horner is fired in the middle of the 2025 season, it actually feels like Max is running the team. Everyone seems to be subservient to him. Everyone seems to be afraid of him," Brown wrote.

"The car is tailored to Max, to a point where it seems difficult for anyone else to drive it effectively. Red Bull tend not to choose a second driver who will pose any threat to Max, otherwise Carlos Sainz would have been an obvious choice [for 2025]."

Verstappen is contending for the title against Zak Brown's drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The Red Bull star currently trails Norris and Piastri by 49, and 25 points after 21 races and five Sprints.