McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, is gearing up to handle the growing rivalry between his drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, as the Formula 1 season approaches its conclusion. This year has seen McLaren performing exceptionally well, achieving a milestone 200th Grand Prix victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, making it one of their strongest seasons since 1988.
Currently, Piastri leads the drivers’ championship, holding a slender nine-point lead over Norris after 14 races. However, with both drivers vying for their first F1 world title, it’s evident that tensions will rise as the season unfolds, especially heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Brown acknowledges the unique challenge of managing the two drivers’ aspirations. He plans to have an open discussion with them when the time comes, ensuring that both feel supported, regardless of who wins. He stated, “One of you is going to win… How do you want us to handle that?” This approach aims to celebrate success while also being sensitive to the feelings of the losing driver.
This season has been marked by notable victories, with McLaren claiming 11 Grand Prix wins, and Piastri clinching six of them. However, Norris recently positioned himself as a strong contender after his victory in Hungary. The McLaren team is committed to fairness; Brown has previously indicated a preference to lose the championship rather than display favoritism towards either driver.
The recent race saw a competitive battle between the two teammates, where Piastri attempted multiple overtaking moves on Norris, culminating in a near-collision during a critical moment. This on-track rivalry exemplifies the competitive spirit that McLaren encourages, promoting a culture of respect while allowing their drivers to race freely.
As the F1 season resumes after the mid-year break with the Dutch Grand Prix, Brown anticipates continued competitive exchanges between Piastri and Norris. He trusts that their rivalry can coexist within an environment of mutual respect, confident that any incidents on track will not lead to unnecessary animosity.
With ten races remaining, the stakes will surely increase, and Brown is ready to navigate the challenges while supporting both drivers in their pursuit of excellence.