Brown addresses 'critical' qualifying issue following FP2 danger

McLaren CEO has insisted the pit wall's ability to assist drivers find clean laps in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be "critical" after a number of near-misses in practice.

Lewis Hamilton was warned and Mercedes fined following FP2 after almost colliding with Williams driver Logan Sargeant at turn 10 of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, though this was by no means the only incident of the session.

Asked by Sky Sports F1 how the team can help drivers from the pit wall, Brown conceded: "It's tough, you obviously do the best you can.

"This track is so fast but you also have blind corners and high speeds so the drivers are really depending upon us.

"So we are going to have to be on our A-game on the pit wall because things happen so quick.

"Fortunately, come race time, it should be less of an issue because everyone's at race speed but I think come qualifying and getting clean laps, that will be pretty critical because it is a fast circuit."

McLaren bouncing

A number of teams struggled with bouncing during the two practice sessions on Thursday as set-ups were dialled in ahead of the weekend.

Lando Norris complained of excessive bottoming during his qualifying simulation run and Brown explained: "We are playing around with the ride height.

"I don't think we have found our sweet spot, so we have been playing with that. That's one of the things we have been working through."