Formula One supporters have reacted with disbelief after McLaren chief executive Zak Brown sparked controversy with remarks made during the team’s end-of-season celebrations, comments that many viewers interpreted as a joke referencing domestic violence.
McLaren had gathered at its Woking headquarters to mark a campaign that delivered major success on track.
Lando Norris secured the drivers’ championship, while Oscar Piastri finished third after leading the standings through the opening half of the season.
The mood was intended to be celebratory, yet a video circulated online showing Brown’s speech quickly threatening to overshadow those achievements.
Addressing staff, Brown began by thanking families connected to the team, “starting with mine”, before attempting humour while referring to his wife, Tracy.
“We’ve been married 26 years, see the black eye? Like I said, we’ve been married 26 years,” Brown said, before adding: “No, I am joking, the dog hit her this morning.”
The comments drew an uncomfortable reaction in the room.
Norris smiled politely as the speech continued, while Piastri appeared visibly uneasy, looking down as the moment passed.
Formula One supporters have reacted with disbelief after McLaren chief executive Zak Brown sparked controversy with remarks made during the team’s end-of-season celebrations, comments that many viewers interpreted as a joke referencing domestic violence
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Online, the response was swift, with fans expressing shock that such remarks were made in a public, professional setting.
“Oh, Zak made a DV joke about his own wife in front of the entire company? Okay,” one viewer wrote after sharing the clip.
Another added: “There are 100 red flags for this guy and somehow people look past it.”
A third commented: “There are definitely ways to be funny without saying these outlandish things.”
F1 facts fans might not know | GETTY/GBNEWS
Brown was, however, clearly joking and was quick to provide clarification in the seconds that followed.
The controversy came at the end of a season in which Brown had already faced criticism over the way McLaren managed its drivers.
Although Norris emerged as champion, accusations of favouritism followed the team throughout the year.
Piastri matched Norris for wins and pace, yet strategic calls increasingly appeared to prioritise Norris as the title fight intensified.
The most prominent flashpoint came at the Singapore Grand Prix, where Piastri was instructed to hold position behind Norris despite running on fresher tyres and closing rapidly.
The decision protected Norris’s points haul rather than allowing a direct contest, reinforcing claims that McLaren’s so-called Papaya rules were not applied evenly when the championship was on the line.
Brown’s speech did little to cool those debates. ,
Turning to the drivers, remarks were made that many fans interpreted as digs at Piastri.
Lando Norris celebrates after winning the F1 title for the first time
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“We took big risks on both of you,” Brown said.
“And don’t pretend you had better options, [Oscar] you had f***ing Alpine and you [Lando] just had to be faster than [former McLaren driver] Stoffel [Vandoorne].”
Brown then added: “What I really wanna do is mess up Lando’s hair right now but I’m gonna dare Oscar and see how big his balls really are.”
Although praise followed, the tone continued to raise eyebrows.
“Couldn’t dream of having a better driver lineup on and off the track,” Brown said.
“Two fastest guys in the world and the nicest. That’s the McLaren way. Proper racers like us.”
