“Toxic Guy”: Zak Brown Faces the Wrath of the Papaya Army After Huge McLaren F1 Shake Up

After further falling down the pecking order behind Alpine last year, McLaren hoped to bounce back in 2023. However, even before the start of the season, team CEO Zak Brown delivered depressing news. Zak said that McLaren had missed some goals’ deadlines and was running way behind where they wanted to be. That showed in their on-track result in the season opener in Bahrain as well as in Jeddah. Hinting at a bigger crisis, the team has now let go of their Executive Technical Director, James Key, and made some major changes in crucial top divisions. The entire fiasco has invited fans’ wrath on Brown.

Ferrari is riding in a similar boat to McLaren. After last year’s embarrassing defeat at the hands of Red Bull despite a good start to the season, the Prancing Horse’s management sacked team boss Mattia Binotto. That decision seems to have backfired as things haven’t improved too much. That led to further changes in the team, with a top figure like David Sanchez leaving the team.

McLaren fans demand Zak Brown’s ouster after recent rejig

Ferrari outcast David Sanchez will join the team as their new Technical Director, Car Concept and Performance on January 1, 2024, as per McLaren’s press release. Peter Prodromou will assume the role of Technical Director, Aerodynamics. Meanwhile, Neil Houldey will take over the newly created position of Technical Director, Engineering and Design. Other promotions include Giuseppe Pesce to Director, Aerodynamics & Chief of Staff, and Piers Thynne to COO role.

Both McLaren and Zak Brown shared the press release through their official Twitter handle. Take a look at how fans reacted to the news.

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Some fans flagged Daniel Ricciardo’s contract being cut short last year owing to poor performance while Brown is allowed to continue. That fact did not go down well with some.

Some fans were left perplexed over Zak not being a part of the rejig.

One fan lauded the restructuring and felt it was necessary. However, they want Zak to take more responsibility in the success and failure of the team.

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Do you think Zak’s criticism is justified?