BREAKING: McLaren Declared it is stronger and better prepared for F1 2026 after l…read more
McLaren declared ‘better prepared’ for F1 2026 after ‘s* happens’ mistakes
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has openly admitted that the team’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign was affected by avoidable mistakes, but insists those errors have ultimately strengthened McLaren as it prepares for the all-important 2026 regulation overhaul.
Brown acknowledged that last season featured moments where strategic calls, development choices, and operational execution did not go according to plan. Describing the setbacks bluntly, he said they fell into the category of “s*** happens,” stressing that while errors are frustrating, they are also an inevitable part of competing at the highest level of motorsport.
However, Brown emphasized that McLaren has carried out a thorough internal review to understand what went wrong and why. As a result, the team has refined its decision-making structure, improved coordination between departments at the factory and trackside, and adopted clearer accountability across technical and sporting operations.
Looking ahead to 2026, when Formula 1 will introduce new chassis rules and radically revised power units, Brown believes McLaren is now in a stronger position than it was heading into previous regulation changes. He revealed that the team has already allocated significant resources to its 2026 project, ensuring lessons from last year are directly influencing design philosophy, simulation work, and long-term planning.
The McLaren CEO also pointed to stability within the organisation as a key factor in its improved readiness. With continuity in senior management and engineering leadership, Brown said the team can focus on execution rather than restructuring, something he believes was lacking in the past.
Despite the challenges of last season, Brown remains optimistic about McLaren’s trajectory. He stated that the team’s recent performances show clear progress and that the mistakes made have sharpened its competitive edge rather than weakened it.
“In Formula 1, you either win or you learn,” Brown suggested, making it clear that McLaren intends to use the lessons of a difficult season to position itself as a serious contender when the sport enters its new era in 2026.
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