Max Verstappen revels in being likened to a horror movie villain by McLaren boss Zak Brown as world title battle heats up: 'He can call me Chucky!'

Max Verstappen has responded to pre-race comments from McLaren CEO Zak Brown after he kept his title hopes alive at the Qatar Grand Prix. 

The McLaren pairing of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have dominated much of the 2025 season and it felt like a matter of time until one of them wrapped up the Drivers' Championship.

However, Verstappen has enjoyed some impressive form over the second half of the year, winning the past two races to keep the title race open going into the final weekend in Abu Dhabi this week, although Norris remains 12 points clear. 

The Dutch driver had been 104 points adrift of then-Championship leader Piastri at the end of August, and his victory in Qatar came after Brown likened Verstappen to 'that guy in a horror movie, that right as you think he's not coming back, he's back'.

Verstappen's victory in Qatar followed a strategy error from McLaren and it was just a week after they had both Norris and Piastri disqualified in Las Vegas due to a breach of technical regulations.

And, speaking after his triumph on Sunday, Verstappen joked: 'He (Zak Brown) can call me Chucky! 

'I don't know. I saw it [Brown's comments] as well. I thought it was quite funny.

'From my side, I just focus on myself. I know that when I go in the car, I just try to do the best, like, I guess, everyone does.

'But, yeah, that's the only thing I can control, right? And that's the only thing I focus on.'

Verstappen's reference to 'Chucky' is related to the main villain and antagonist of the Child's Play franchise who was first seen in 1988. 

In Qatar, Verstappen had started in third but went past Norris at the start of the race and then pitted on lap seven when the safety car was deployed.

However, the McLaren pairing stayed out and ultimately paid the price, with Norris coming fourth, while his team-mate fared slightly better in second. 

Talking more widely about his impressive win and Red Bull's superior strategy, Verstappen paid tribute to his team. 

'I didn't expect to win today, that's for sure,' Verstappen told Sky Sports.

'Looking at pure pace, we were not on the same level as McLaren, but we made the right call, as most of the grid did, in boxing under the safety car.

'That almost gives you a free pit stop and that made the race for me. For sure, that call at the pit stop made me win the race today.

Next weekend's finale in Abu Dhabi promises to be an enthralling end to the season, although Verstappen admitted he is still a long shot for the title.   

'I think on pure pace it will be tough but a race like today also shows that it's not always straightforward, a Grand Prix, and a lot of things can happen,' the Dutchman said.

'So I'm probably relying a little bit on that.'