Zak Brown claims F1 would ‘risk becoming’ IndyCar without rule changes

McLaren has been a part of the grid in both F1 and Indycar.

Zak Brown claims F1 would ‘risk becoming’ IndyCar without rule changes

Zak Brown, Indycar and F1, all images via IMAGO

F1 is regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport throughout the world. However, with every set of regulation changes, teams and pundits fear that the cars are being slowed down and the throne for being the fastest might slip away from F1. Despite their concerns, McLaren‘s CEO Zak Brown has supported rule changes as without them the championship could transform into Indycar.

Indycar is often compared with F1 and is reckoned as its counterpart. The Indy 500 is considered to be one of the toughest races in motorsport. However, despite such challenges, Indycar runs on a spec series format and teams buy their chassis and aero kits from Italian manufacturer Dallara. On the other hand, F1 is also a constructor’s business and glorifies the best team for their engineering excellence.

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Comparing the two series’ characteristics, Zak Brown admitted that F1 requires regulation changes to reward the best teams for their excellence.

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There is risk there, but then the problem becomes, if you delay them, it will just get closer and closer. At some point, you've got to stay true to F1 and go ‘right, ruleset change’. That is something that race fans love about F1, is that it's a constructors’ championship as much as there's a drivers’ championship, otherwise you run the risk of becoming IndyCar. There's nothing wrong with IndyCar but IndyCar is spec racing for the most part, F1 is about constructors.
Zak Brown said in an interview with RacingNews365

The American explained that delaying regulation changes brings the field closer together as the teams start to reach the developmental ceiling. Otherwise, the series risks becoming a replica of Indycar, where the teams would be almost identical in terms of performance and the reward for being the best constructor would become non-existent.

Zak Brown wants F1 to expand in South-East Asia

Brown is one of the most controversial figures in the paddock as he is known to speak regarding some sensitive issues. Regardless of the consequences, the 52-year-old has had a strong stance and recently claimed that F1 should do away with the race in Monaco despite its historical background.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown
Zak Brown (via IMAGO)

The McLaren Racing CEO reckoned that FOM could do away with Monaco as the sport is in a much stronger position.

Could we bail on Monaco? We could. This sport is so strong. I’d love to see us in Korea. I’d love to see us in Thailand. We almost got into Vietnam. I’d love South Africa and some of these other territories so we can continue to expand our global footprint. India would be a great market to be in.
Zak Brown via Hot Pursuit podcast

Brown claimed that by bailing on the principality, F1 could expand in Southeast Asia. Moreover, he claimed that he would love to see the sport in Thailand, Vietnam, and wanted the championship to try its luck again in India.

Despite Brown’s stance, FOM has been criticized for increasing the number of races in America. While the other nations have been waiting in queue for their chance to host a race.

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