McLaren CEO Brown admits team will give up drivers title for 'fairness' in bold claim

Unlike Red Bull Racing, where Max Verstappen is clearly the number one driver, McLaren has taken a different approach—committing to equal treatment for both of its drivers. “The best way to win the Constructors’ is to finish first and second in the Drivers’, and that’s what we’re trying to do," Brown told PlanetF1. “And then, the way to let the drivers decide who’s first and second is by treating them fully, fairly, transparently."

McLaren's CEO is fully aware that the McLaren drivers are taking points away from each other in the championship, which could potentially benefit the Dutchman.

With two teammates so close in the title fight, a scenario similar to the one between former teammates Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso at McLaren is looming. "Obviously from a Drivers’, you could say Max has 110 per cent support, so he probably gets a few extra points because his teammate is there to support him where our guys can take points off each other – which is exactly what happened in ’07 when we didn’t win the championship,” Brown stated.

The American is therefore willing to accept that neither driver wins the title if it means no team orders are imposed. “But when you’ve got two drivers first and second in the championship and are separated by less than one second-place finish, how do you possibly even consider standing one down into a supporting role?