The Las Vegas chapter of Formula One brought excitement but also controversy, particularly concerning McLaren and its CEO, Zak Brown. During the race, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri struggled to improve beyond the 6th and 7th positions. Despite the team’s difficulties, Zak Brown was notably caught in a moment of contention, rooting for a rival driver instead of his own team members. His actions sparked backlash from fans, questioning his loyalty and leadership.
Race Highlights and Key Moments
The weekend began with strong performances in practice and qualifying, particularly from Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. During the second phase of qualifying, Hamilton recorded a time of 1m 33.136s, slightly faster than his teammate George Russell’s Q1 time of 1m 32.312s. Hamilton edged out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by just 0.001 seconds but faced setbacks in Q3 due to a lock-up and a slide through Turn 3. Despite these issues, Hamilton delivered an impressive performance during the final race, battling his teammate Russell for the top spot.
I need Lewis *at least* on that damn podium #LasVegasGP
— kaosi (@_ka0si) November 24, 2024
Meanwhile, McLaren drivers Norris and Piastri struggled to match the pace of their rivals. Norris, in particular, made notable moves, reducing the gap between himself and Max Verstappen to 16 seconds by lap 40, but ultimately finished 6th. Verstappen secured 5th place and his fourth consecutive World Championship title.
Zak Brown’s Controversial Moment
During the broadcast, Brown was heard shouting words of encouragement for Lewis Hamilton, saying, “Go, Lewis, go!” This statement surprised fans and caused outrage, as it occurred while his own team was underperforming. Brown’s perceived favoritism for a rival team driver, especially one from Mercedes—a long-time competitor of McLaren—did not sit well with McLaren supporters.
Fans took to social media to express their displeasure, with some labeling Brown’s behavior as unprofessional and unsupportive of his drivers. Comments ranged from humorous takes on his cheer for Hamilton to harsh criticism of his leadership abilities. The incident reignited discussions about Brown’s loyalty and competitiveness, particularly given the historical rivalry between McLaren and Mercedes.
The Bigger Picture
McLaren’s struggles in Las Vegas were emblematic of a challenging season. Despite past successes under Brown’s leadership, such as expanding McLaren’s global presence and entering the World Endurance Championship, the team has struggled to secure wins in recent races. This latest incident added fuel to fan frustrations, with many blaming Brown’s lack of focus and leadership for the team’s underwhelming performance.
As fans voiced their concerns, Brown’s actions were interpreted by some as a reflection of poor sportsmanship. Critics noted that such public support for a rival undermined his drivers and further highlighted the challenges McLaren faces on and off the track.
Looking Ahead
The Las Vegas Grand Prix ended with George Russell taking the win for Mercedes, followed by Hamilton, who delivered an outstanding performance to climb from 10th to 2nd place. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Norris and Piastri finished 6th and 7th, respectively, unable to match their rivals’ pace.
Fans and analysts are now turning their attention to the next race, hoping to see whether McLaren can bounce back from this setback and deliver stronger performances. Brown, in particular, will be under scrutiny to demonstrate greater commitment to his team and rebuild trust with McLaren supporters.