Max Verstappen says Zak Brown might call him “Chucky” after the McLaren boss compared him to a character in a “horror movie” as he chases Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in a crowded F1 title race.
Brawn made the remarks ahead of last week’s Qatar Grand Prix, which saw Verstappen unexpectedly win after a McLaren strategic error cost the driver amid the early safety car deployment, setting up a three-way showdown in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
“He’s the kind of guy you see in horror movies where you think you’re depressed and then all of a sudden you’re like, ‘Where did you come from?!'” the McLaren chief executive told Sky Sports F1.
“He is an immense talent, better than anyone we have ever seen.”
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McLaren CEO Zak Brown compared Max Verstappen’s aggressiveness during the Qatar Grand Prix to a character in a horror movie.
Verstappen was ready to respond when asked about Brown’s comments after winning last Sunday and closing the gap on Norris to just 12 points.
“He calls me Chucky. Is that enough?” Verstappen quipped.
“I don’t know. I saw it too. I thought it was pretty funny.”
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen believes McLaren’s decision not to pit under the safety car played a vital role in winning the Qatar Grand Prix.
“Chucky” is the deadly main villain of the Child’s Play movie series, first released in 1988.
Asked in the same question if he thought he had gotten McLaren’s “head”, Verstappen added: “For me, I’m just focused on myself. I know when I’m in the car I’m just trying to do my best, but I think everyone does.”
“But yeah, that’s the only thing I can control, right? And that’s the only thing I focus on.”
‘It takes a lot of pressure off’ – Verstappen relaxed about unexpected title chance
Verstappen’s victory in Qatar was his fifth in the past eight races and means he heads into the 2025 finale with a chance of winning a record-equalling fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship.
For Verstappen, who won the 2022, 2023 and 2024 titles with races remaining in the season, this will be the second final race showdown of Verstappen’s F1 career, following his infamous head-to-head with Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
Verstappen went into that level of racing for points against his British rival, but was ahead in the standings on the result countback, but this time he knew that if Norris finished second or third, it would not be enough for him to take the crown, even if he won the race.
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Lando Norris has responded to Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s comments that if the Dutchman had driven a McLaren, the race for the F1 title would have already been over.
However, the Dutchman has been on his toes after last Sunday’s events and believes there could be more unpredictability this week.
“I’m much more relaxed now. I mean, I know I’m 12 points down. I’m just going in with positive energy,” he said.
“I’m trying to do the best I can. But at the same time, I know that even if we don’t win, we’ve had a great season. So it doesn’t really matter. It takes a lot of pressure off.”
“We’re just having a good time like we did today. We started today with a ‘let’s see how it goes’ mentality.
“I know that when I’m sitting in the car I always try to maximize everything I can and that’s what I’m trying to do in Abu Dhabi. But at the same time I know that I’ll probably have to rely on some external factors to try that.”
“But a race like today shows that if you think it’s going to be boring and simple, that’s not the case. So I hope Abu Dhabi will be the same.”
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With Lando Norris absent from the Qatar Grand Prix, Max Verstappen pitted under the safety car.
Verstappen has made a remarkable comeback in his pursuit of the F1 world title, which looked set to be exclusive to McLaren after the Red Bull driver dropped 104 points off the pace after the Dutch Grand Prix on August 31.
“I’m excited. I mean, I’m willing to go out there and give it a try,” he added.
“But, as I said before, we also have to be realistic. In terms of pure pace, we are not at the same level. But at the same time, maybe if the strategy works or if we make the right decisions at the right time, we might have a chance.”
Live Abu Dhabi GP Schedule on Sky Sports F1
Thursday, December 4th
11am: Drivers press conference
2pm: Paddock uncut
Friday, December 5th
7am: F2 practice
9:00am: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice 1 (Session starts at 9:30am)*
10:55am: F2 Qualifying*
11.40am: Team boss press conference*
12:45pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice 2 (Session starts at 1pm)*
2:15pm: F1 Show*
Saturday, December 6th
10:15am: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Practice 3 (Session starts at 10:30am)*
12:10pm: F2 Sprint Race*
1:15pm: Abu Dhabi GP qualifying build-up*
2pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying*
4pm: Ted’s Qualification Notes*
Sunday, December 7th
9:10am: F2 Feature Race
11am: Grand Prix Sunday: Abu Dhabi GP Build-up*
1pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix*
3pm: Checkered flag: Abu Dhabi GP reaction*
4pm: Ted’s Notes
*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event
The 2025 F1 season concludes with the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
