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Zak Brown Admits: ‘I Was Ready for a Heart Attack’ During Nail-Biting F1 Showdown

Publisher by Publisher
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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Zak Brown Admits: ‘I Was Ready for a Heart Attack’ During Nail-Biting F1 Showdown

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 McLaren chief executive Zak Brown celebrates on the podium after McLaren's Lando Norris wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

McLaren has broken a 26-year drought to reclaim the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, with Lando Norris delivering a heroic performance in the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The victory marks McLaren’s ninth title in F1 history and their first since 1998—a time when Norris was just one year old, and teammate Oscar Piastri hadn’t even been born.

A Nail-Biting Finale

While McLaren entered the Abu Dhabi race weekend leading the Constructors’ standings and locked out the front row with Norris on pole and Piastri in second, their path to glory was far from smooth. On the very first lap, chaos erupted as Piastri was hit by Max Verstappen, dropping him to the back of the field. To make matters worse, Piastri received a ten-second penalty for colliding with Williams driver Franco Colapinto.

Ferrari’s challenge never materialized as a genuine threat, but Norris faced relentless pressure from Carlos Sainz, who shadowed the McLaren driver throughout the race. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc staged a remarkable comeback, charging through the pack to secure third place, with Sainz finishing second.

Piastri, despite the early setbacks, salvaged a point with a 10th-place finish. However, the day belonged to Norris, whose flawless drive kept McLaren’s title hopes alive and secured the championship by a razor-thin margin of 14 points over Ferrari.

“The Worst Two Hours of My Life”: Zak Brown’s Emotional Rollercoaster

McLaren CEO Zak Brown summed up the tension of the race in one phrase: “That was the worst two hours of my life, by far.”

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Brown praised Norris for his impeccable performance under immense pressure. “Lando drove brilliantly. Unfortunate what happened to Oscar at the start, but the team was flawless. They executed the pit stop great. I think I was the only one ready to have a heart attack for about two hours.”

Brown acknowledged Norris’ role as the linchpin of McLaren’s success in Abu Dhabi: “That race, he carried us. To not make any mistakes, and with Safety Cars looming, he drove flawlessly, as he’s done all season.”

A Look Ahead: 2025 Aspirations

On the cool-down lap, Norris declared, “2025 will be my year.” Brown echoed that sentiment, brimming with optimism about his star driver’s trajectory. “He’s going to give it all he’s got. And given the momentum he’s on, I wouldn’t bet against him.”

Brown also hinted at a healthy rivalry brewing between Norris and Piastri, jokingly adding: “Next, we try to repeat the Constructors’ and get the Drivers’ [title]. I’ll let Oscar and Lando figure that one out.”

Andrea Stella: The Architect of McLaren’s Revival

While Brown stepped onto the podium to accept the constructor’s trophy, he was quick to credit McLaren team principal Andrea Stella for orchestrating the team’s resurgence.

“He’s just an unbelievable leader,” Brown said of Stella. “He leads by example, empowers people, he’s very technical, and he pushes everyone to get the best out of them. That’s what you saw tonight.”

Stella’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming McLaren from backmarkers to championship contenders, steering the team through years of rebuilding to achieve this historic victory.

The Road to Glory

The season finale at Yas Marina highlighted McLaren’s grit and determination. The team weathered a turbulent race with Norris delivering under pressure, and Piastri showing resilience despite setbacks. McLaren’s ninth Constructors’ Championship cements their place among F1’s all-time great teams, and it’s a triumph that marks the culmination of years of hard work and innovation.

As McLaren celebrates their long-awaited return to the top, the team is already looking ahead to 2025. With Norris at the peak of his powers and Piastri on a meteoric rise, the future looks bright for the Papaya team.

Final Standings

McLaren outscored Ferrari by just 14 points to claim the Constructors’ Championship, closing the season on a high and setting the stage for even greater battles to come. The Brickyard victory was more than a race; it was a statement. McLaren is back.

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