TEAM REPRESENTATIVES: Jonathan WHEATLEY (Kick Sauber), Zak BROWN (McLaren), Laurent MEKIES (Pink Bull Racing)
Q: Now, Zak, maybe we might begin with you. It is an enormous weekend for each of your drivers. Have you ever sensed the stress go up a notch contained in the storage thus far?
Zak BROWN: No. It is type of enterprise as standard. In fact, it is not enterprise as standard. There’s lots driving on the weekend for each our guys, however they’re very relaxed. I just like the mindset during which they’ve are available. We’re making an attempt to clearly simply be enterprise as standard and never take into consideration what the potential final result might be and do what we have carried out the primary 23 races — possibly in the event you go away a couple of out — and go racing once more this weekend.
Q: Properly, you mentioned a couple of weeks in the past that you simply’d reasonably lose the World Drivers’ Championship to Max Verstappen than problem crew orders. Sitting right here now on the eve of the title decider, do you’re feeling the identical approach?
ZB: Sure. Within the sense of crew orders, so long as each drivers have an opportunity to win the World Championship — which they clearly do sitting right here proper now — then it is enterprise as standard. They’re free to race. Clearly, we’ll be sensible and reasonable. If, because the weekend develops, because the race develops, it turns into clear that one has a considerably higher probability than the opposite, then we’re a crew that desires to win the Drivers’ Championship, and we are going to race accordingly, to do no matter we will to get that driver in entrance to attempt to win the race. So, , our crew orders have been round giving equal alternative to win the championship. But when, because the race performs out, it turns into clear that each cannot, then we’ll do what’s in the most effective curiosity of the crew and attempt to win the Drivers’ Championship.
Q: What do you say to individuals who may then accuse you of doing a U-turn on the way in which you’ve got gone racing thus far this 12 months?
ZB: I do not assume it is a U-turn. We will begin the weekend like we’ve the opposite 23, which goes in, giving each drivers equal alternative. I feel final 12 months, as soon as it turned clear that Lando had the most effective probability to catch Max and Oscar was nearly statistically out of it — in Baku — we then requested Oscar to help Lando, and it ended up being Lando who supported Oscar in that specific race, and Oscar received the race. So, we’ll use widespread sense. We’re not going to throw away a Drivers’ Championship over a sixth and seventh place, a 3rd and a fourth place, a fifth and a sixth place if considered one of our drivers would not have the chance. I feel every part we do, we do with the drivers in order that they know what the sport plan is for this weekend. And, , type of exterior of our racing crew, you are a bit damned in the event you do, damned in the event you do not. And so we’ll simply keep true to our racing ideas. We need to win the Constructors’ — which we have carried out — we need to win the Drivers’, and so we’ll see how the race performs out.
Q: When you ask Oscar to maneuver over on Sunday night, are you assured that he’ll?
ZB: Sure. Our drivers have all the time complied with crew needs, simply as we adjust to their needs. So, I’ve acquired little doubt both of our drivers will proceed to race as they’ve carried out brilliantly — in the most effective curiosity of the crew.
Q: Last one from me. Win or lose on Sunday, how will you mirror on 2025?
ZB: Superior season. Tied Pink Bull for clinching the Constructors’. Actually would have been good to interrupt the report, however they tag teamed me — 14 wins, each drivers have seven wins, celebrated our two hundredth win. It has been a spectacular 12 months. It has been in all probability the most effective 12 months McLaren’s had in, I do not know, 25, 30 years. So, I do not assume you may mirror on something apart from an superior 12 months. Clearly, if we do not win, we’ll be dissatisfied, however we’ll mirror again on the season and it was a hell of a season.
Q: Okay. Zak, thanks for that. I am certain there will be extra questions for you in a minute. Laurent, can we come to you now? We had Max within the press convention yesterday. He got here throughout as extremely relaxed. Is that what you are seeing as nicely?
Laurent MEKIES: He’s extremely relaxed. There isn’t a appearing there. Truthfully, he has been like that… For the little that I’ve seen of him within the second a part of the 12 months, he has been like that within the unhealthy second and the optimistic second. He’s very a lot embracing the strategy we’ve. We take it race by race. We by no means fairly appeared on the championship factors. We all the time felt that you simply go to a race, you attempt to get the automobile in the fitting window, which is tough sufficient, and within the second a part of the 12 months, if we have been doing that, it meant that you’d have an opportunity to combat for the win. After which on Sunday evening, you look one another within the eyes and in the event you’re doing job or not. And the factors are simply the consequence. And I assume that strategy has given each Max and the crew the arrogance of specializing in the fitting issues and to not really feel strain however as a substitute to really feel a privilege to be in a historic combat, in a historic comeback.
Q: How are you approaching the weekend?
LM: Precisely in the identical approach, actually. We attempt to get the automobile in the fitting window. We do not get that simply on any monitor. Qatar has been significantly tough. Vegas was not simple both. If we do this, it doesn’t suggest that Max will probably be on pole, or that he’ll win the race, nevertheless it means he will probably be shut sufficient to those guys to combat for it. After which at that second, no matter occurs behind him will not be in our management. So, we do not give it some thought.
Q: If Max have been to do it, has this been his greatest season?
LM: It is you guys which can be right here to guage how historic a season is in comparison with the others. I feel whether or not or not Max will win, it is in all probability honest to say that the world found an much more extraordinary Max this season, after his fourth world title. A bit due to the magnitude of the comeback. A bit as a result of, as you say, he has been so relaxed, so nicely seated within the crew. Embracing a lot that problem with the fitting spirit. A bit additionally as a result of we’ve seen him racing elsewhere. I feel it has all taken a little bit of part of our coronary heart when we’ve seen him spending his free weekends being a brand new dad, racing with GT automobiles around the globe. And I do not know, it is as much as you guys to say if in that case, that can turn into the most effective of his titles. However for certain, by way of no matter occurs subsequent, the dimensions of the comeback is one thing that hopefully will go in a couple of historical past books.
Q: Last one for me. Can we modify tack and discuss Isack Hadjar? You introduced him as Max’s teammate for 2026 a couple of days in the past. What are your expectations from him?
LM: Isack has had an unbelievable first season. There isn’t a doubt that by way of start line — so the place he began in January — the place to begin was excellent. Then we’re sturdy believers not solely within the uncooked expertise, but in addition the flexibility of the drivers to develop. We now have seen so many champions creating by the years, doing issues that they’d not carried out within the automobile a couple of races earlier than. We have seen that with Isack this 12 months too. We’ve seen him making stuff within the automobile that he was not doing three races earlier than. So, to reply your query, we anticipate — we want him to proceed onto that path. We do not see it as a touchdown level. We see it as one other begin for him to proceed to develop, to proceed to impress us, to proceed to shock us. And you’ll anticipate that within the second 12 months. You’ll anticipate that within the third 12 months, maybe within the fourth 12 months. In order that’s somewhat bit the journey for us collectively.
Q: Thanks. Jonathan, let’s come to you now. Can we begin by speaking about Max Verstappen? You may have insider data of him out of your time at Pink Bull. What makes him such a potent drive in a scenario like this, in a title showdown?
Jonathan WHEATLEY: I feel it is not his first rodeo. He is been right here earlier than. He has a coolness and a peaceful — which Laurent’s speaking about — and I feel that permeates by the crew. If everybody within the crew appears calm, beginning with the motive force — I’m certain you’ve got acquired the identical scenario as nicely, Zak, in your crew — then the crew features confidence from it. To be on this scenario is what we dream of. I am loving the scenario that two associates of mine are discovering themselves on this 12 months, as a result of you may work your whole life to be on this scenario. And the good factor with Max is he is been right here earlier than.
Q: Properly, can we discuss when he was right here earlier than in 2021, towards Lewis Hamilton? How did he take care of the strain then?
JW: Yeah. I feel it was a special Max then. There was a starvation about him. That complete season, there was a frisson of vitality about the entire season. There was every part that you simply’d need in a Formulation 1 championship — nice rivalries, on-track clashes, and what have you ever. It got here to a crescendo right here, which I feel… We’re taking a look at one other crescendo on Sunday. So excited. I feel for the game, it’s such an incredible new story to have three nice drivers in competition for a Drivers’ World Championship, and I hope I can have a little bit of time to take pleasure in that in addition to our personal race on Sunday.
Q: Properly, let’s discuss your individual race. Let’s deliver this again to Sauber. Each crew desires to finish the season on a excessive. What does that appear to be for you this weekend?
JW: Properly, there’s a few issues. To start with, I really feel tremendously proud to be a part of the Sauber journey. I used to be there the primary time they ran a automobile in testing in Barcelona, and I used to be there for the primary race in Kyalami, the place they really completed fifth within the first race. Since then, 617 races. We now have Peter Sauber with us this weekend. Peter and I get on brilliantly. To have the ability to present our respect for Peter as a crew — and, in fact, what we need to do is log off on this unimaginable journey in Formulation 1 for the Sauber identify by making him as proud as we will on Sunday and placing to mattress, respectfully, the Sauber legacy as we transfer ahead into changing into the Audi F1 Group.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Ian Parkes – RacingNews365.com) Question for you, Zak. You talked about earlier that it has been an superior season, and also you detailed the numerous the reason why. However absolutely, if considered one of your drivers doesn’t win the world title on Sunday, that a part of it in isolation will probably be seen as failure, making an allowance for each have received seven Grands Prix this season, and one or the opposite has led the Drivers’ Championship for the reason that begin of the season?
ZB: Yeah. Clearly, it’s going to be a disappointment, however Max will not be a simple four-time World Champion to knock off his perch. He is received seven races, eight races? Seven races. So, it is not like he is received two. He is had equally as aggressive a racing season. You have acquired three drivers preventing for the championship which have all had spectacular years.
Q: (Scott Mitchell-Malm – The Race) A query for Zak as nicely. The potential for distraction for the drivers or noise has clearly by no means been larger as a result of it’s the title showdown, and the allegations of bias or favouritism that you have needed to take care of at instances over the previous few months particularly appear to be stronger and louder than ever. How do you’re feeling about these? Have you ever seen what’s been claimed this week, and what’s your thought on how that is gone down?
ZB: All that is actually necessary to us is how the crew operates and works collectively and works with our drivers, so we block all of it out. I’ve seen it. A number of the feedback that you simply see are very uninformed nevertheless it’s sport, it is emotional, individuals are entitled to their opinions, and I am unable to go round correcting everybody’s views. However you do see some nonsense on the market.
Q: (Jon Noble – The Race) One other one to Zak. The ‘Papaya Guidelines’ have clearly been an enormous speaking level all season. It’s put you on the receiving finish of some criticism. Has the ache been price it? Are you comfy with all the selections, together with Monza, that have been made? And over the winter, is there one thing that you must discuss and evaluate and talk about going ahead, or are you completely dedicated that that is the way in which McLaren runs F1, full cease?
ZB: Oh, we’re undoubtedly dedicated to giving each drivers equal alternative to win the World Championship. I feel you are all the time… Even if you win, on Monday, you discuss what you could possibly have carried out otherwise or higher. So we’re continuously evolving as a racing crew. However the fundamentals of getting two drivers that will give equal alternative to win, that will not change.
Do we glance again and have a number of learnings? I keep in mind after we completed first and second in Spain, our debrief on Monday was about eight issues that have been shut calls that we might have carried out higher. I feel that’s the character of a Formulation 1 crew — to all the time consider and go, “What might we’ve carried out otherwise, what might we’ve carried out higher?” I feel in sport you are going to win some, you are going to lose some. In fact, if you’ve made errors, you want you hadn’t, however that is simply not reasonable. I’ve but to see any particular person or crew in any sport have the proper season. So, we’re no completely different than that. However basically, the way in which we go racing — that received’t change.
Q: (Luke Smith – The Athletic) Laurent, simply choosing up in your feedback about Max. So for him to enter this weekend — having labored his approach again in — he is very relaxed. He mentioned there’s nothing to lose. However Zak likened him to a foul man in a horror film that simply retains coming again time after time. To have somebody who’s simply so potent and will not miss a beat — is {that a} psychological edge you assume that he is acquired going into this weekend? And if Jonathan desires to weigh in on that as nicely, then greater than welcome.
LM: Unsure concerning the horror film, however that was a cool…
ZB: He’s ‘Chucky’ now. I traded notes with him and referred to as him Chucky. I prefer it!
LM: Look — this man by no means will get it flawed, . Max simply by no means does a mistake. I say that like, , he retains shocking us every single day. You throw him on the market, generally the automobile is nice, generally it is a contact much less nice, one thing like we’d hope so, and he would not miss a begin, he would not miss tyre administration, he would not miss an overtaking. He’s simply the way in which he’s. And as Jonathan touched on earlier, it’s true that it provides numerous confidence to the entire crew. It’s true that it matches so nicely with the final strategy this crew has on the way you go racing — taking most danger, accepting the ache when the danger goes over the sting. When you assume again to the two,000 folks in Milton Keynes which have been doing the magic within the shadows, making an attempt to get that automobile again to life within the second a part of the 12 months — clearly, that creates an incredible connection, and sure, it provides nice confidence.
JW: I imply, actually, I do not assume I can… Laurent summed it up very eloquently.
Q: (Phil Duncan – PA) Zak, there is a little bit of a story that maybe McLaren are operating afraid of Max, that Lando’s operating a bit afraid of Max, and that he is in your heads. Simply your response to that — do you assume that’s the case?
ZB: No. Max is an superior driver. 4-time World Champion. Arguably, undoubtedly, one of many biggest ever. It is superior racing towards Max. It is superior racing towards Pink Bull. It is top-of-the-line groups ever. So, to be sitting right here within the closing race with two drivers — it is superior. It is sport. We take pleasure in it. It’s type of like our Recreation Seven – I am a baseball man, so forgive me for that. However that is what we dream of. As Jonathan mentioned, to be sitting right here racing towards an superior crew like Pink Bull, an superior racing driver like Max, taking place to the final race, it is mega thrilling.
Q: (Christian Menath – Motorsport–Magazin.com) First a part of the query for you, Zak. Speaking about crew ways — might this additionally embody a scenario the place Oscar has to again up Max within the race? After which for you, following up, Laurent: is there any scenario you may think about the place Yuki can play an element within the championship combat to assist Max?
ZB: I imply, we’ll race cleanly. Clearly, technique comes into play, however I like everybody on the Formulation 1 grid, and I feel we’re right here to race exhausting, race clear. In order that’s precisely what I anticipate — how the race will play out. All of us have a number of automobiles, etcetera, so you may be good and strategic, however I feel it’s going to be a really wholesome battle to the end.
LM: Fully agree with Zak. I feel it is even fairly refreshing to see that we’re not even discussing whether or not we’re going to race cleanly or not. It’s a on condition that the fellows on the market will race cleanly. Do we want a robust Yuki to place as many automobiles between Max and the remainder of the group if we’re sturdy sufficient to steer with Max? Sure. So, we want a robust Yuki. We want a robust Mercedes. We want a robust Ferrari. We want a robust every part. However as Zak mentioned, it should be, I am certain, a implausible combat, and it’ll preserve us all very awake till the final lap.
Q: (Maria Guidotti – GrainingF1.com) Query for Zak. The values and crew spirit are extremely precious and in addition make you a distinction in the entire lineup on the grid. However trying on the drivers’ standings, is it probably not reasonable sufficient to help 100% the chief, so Lando?
ZB: You have acquired two drivers. I feel we have seen many instances through the years — three drivers coming into the ultimate race, and the motive force in third wins the championship. So, no. We will wait and see how the race performs out. Sitting right here proper now, I type of view it as all three drivers have an equal alternative to win the Grand Prix. So, till that modifications, we’ll go racing as standard.
Q: (Jad Deaibes – Annahar) My query for you, Laurent. Simply reflecting concerning the 2025 season — because you took over as Group Principal, Pink Bull has been on a stronger resurgence, and Max is as soon as once more preventing for the title. In your view, what have been the important thing parts lacking earlier than, and what has pushed this noticeable uplift in efficiency?
LM: The credit score for the turnaround — the spectacular turnaround of type — may be very easy. It is right down to 2,000 folks that you simply by no means see again in Milton Keynes, who merely didn’t need to hand over. It didn’t matter how exhausting the primary a part of the season was, how exhausting the modifications that have been made in the midst of the season have been for them to digest — it didn’t matter. They simply didn’t need to hand over. That’s what they’ve managed to realize – a historic turnaround. They’re the fellows and ladies behind the truth that every part began to click on collectively. They unlocked somewhat little bit of efficiency, and somewhat bit extra efficiency led to much more danger. We fell fairly a couple of instances. I’m certain you guys recall Budapest. I’m certain you recall Brazil qualifying. You don’t take danger at no cost. Nothing is at no cost. You are taking danger, you fall, you get again in your toes, and you like the way in which you are going racing altogether. And all people is in the identical boat. Max is in the identical boat, 2,000 individuals are in the identical boat, our shareholders are in the identical boat. That’s the place the key is — a united group that simply doesn’t need to hand over.
Q: (Tim Hauraney – TSN) Query for Laurent. You had talked about a couple of instances that Max is fairly relaxed coming into this weekend. Eradicating the expertise facet of this — the place do you assume that comes from, and why do you assume that’s?
LM: Tough to speak for him, however let me put it this fashion. No matter occurs in these subsequent three days, the turnaround has been sensational. I feel the crew ought to take pleasure in that. Max ought to take enormous pleasure in that. So, I assume that is the primary level. The second level is, as each Jonathan and Zak talked about, all of us work all our life — and that applies to drivers as nicely — to be concerned on this form of second, the place the depth is sky-high, the strain is sky-high. However that is what we’re actually right here for – to be in that combat. So, I feel in the event you mix that and the expertise, and the truth that even now, even with a sensational turnaround, you are still coming to the final race with a 12-point deficit — profitable will not be sufficient. Your principal competitor must be out of the podiums for you. So it is nonetheless very distant. The mixture of all of that and the strategy with which we go racing — consider this race, get the automobile in the fitting window — makes that we’re all making an attempt to take pleasure in it greater than to consider the strain.
Q: (David Schneider – Hershey Shiga World) Query for Laurent. It will need to have been a really tough determination to let Yuki go. You may have had numerous reward for him this season, and also you labored with him at VCARB the place you additionally appreciated his work and contribution. What do you anticipate of him in 2026? What’s his new mission? And do you assume there is a pathway again into Formulation 1 for him?
LM: So, at first — sure, you are proper. It has been a really tough determination to take. The second seat in Oracle Pink Bull Racing will not be a simple one. We now have a tricky automobile to drive. And naturally, we’ve tried every part we might to help Yuki. At some stage, we needed to make the tough name between the place we have been seeing that going for the next years. I hope, and I feel, that Yuki will get one other probability. He will probably be reserve driver with us subsequent 12 months. You by no means know what is going on to occur. We now have been fairly well-known in making pretty swift driver selections up to now. I recall one second — on the finish of the 2024 season, Yuki was driving very nicely. It was very tough for him to digest. Liam was getting the promotion in Pink Bull Racing. He went into the winter pondering, was he going to get the prospect someday or not? He got here again, and we set ourselves with the crew on the time the target to maximise every part — to shoot for the celebrities. Three races after, he was driving in that Oracle Pink Bull Racing crew. So that you by no means know what the longer term holds. I am certain everybody on this room and past has skilled setbacks — generally exhausting setbacks. That’s a setback for him. However I’m assured that he has lots in him that can permit him to have one other alternative.
Q: (Thomas Maher – PlanetF1.com) A query for Zak, please. Zak, assuming considered one of your drivers does win the title this weekend, you are going to have a reasonably devastated driver alongside — surrounded by a jubilant crew. Have you ever any mechanisms or plans in place on assist that driver course of the frustration and transfer into the winter with out feeling too devastated?
ZB: We’ll sort out that when and if that occurs. We have got two superior guys. They have been nice crew gamers. They perceive it. We perceive the feelings of the game and the highs and lows.
We have had loads of highs and lows this 12 months, and we’ll simply put our arm round him — if that is the scenario — and are available again and provides it a go once more subsequent 12 months. And hopefully, we’re in the identical place.
Q: (Carlo Platella – FormulaPassion.it) Query for Laurent. Pink Bull was one of many groups that developed probably the most this season. Was it since you all the time believed in the potential for catching McLaren, or have been there different causes behind that?
LM: I feel it was a mixture of things. First, as we mentioned earlier, it is not a crew that likes to surrender. The second facet is that there was nowhere to cover. The 2025 automobile had not began at a degree that was ok to permit us to combat for the title. It might in all probability have been wishful pondering at that stage to only flip the web page and hope for a greater lead to ’26. So, we determined to proceed creating — a bit as a result of we don’t hand over, a bit as a result of we needed some solutions, as a result of sure, rules are altering drastically, however basically you should have the identical folks utilizing the identical instruments, the identical evaluation, the identical KPIs for develop a quick automobile. So we needed to resolve what had restricted this 12 months’s venture. In fact, in doing so, you lose 2026 improvement time, however we felt it was the fitting funding to make.
Q: (Leonid Kliuev – Grande Premio Brazil) Query for Zak. If within the race you want Oscar to let Lando by or, certainly, maintain up Max — how assured are you that Oscar will agree?
ZB: I feel I already answered that — our drivers are nice crew gamers. They’ve demonstrated that they’re going to work on behalf of the crew’s curiosity — and naturally, theirs as nicely — so I am very assured.
ENDS
