McLaren CEO Zak Brown Reveals Team Orders.....

McLaren CEO Zak Brown Reveals Team Orders…read more

McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, has shared his plans for team orders between drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in 2025, following a highly competitive 2024 season. McLaren has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence this year, with Norris emerging as a key contender in the championship battle against Max Verstappen and Red Bull. While the team came close to securing the drivers’ title, ultimately, Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. However, McLaren’s success wasn’t overshadowed, as they secured the constructors’ championship, their first since 1998, with a dramatic victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Despite the team’s impressive results, tensions have arisen within McLaren due to the highly competitive nature of their driver pairing. Both Norris and Piastri have shown exceptional skill, but the lack of a clear number one driver has raised concerns about the team’s strategy in critical moments. Piastri’s unexpected victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix highlighted this issue, with the Australian driver snatching a key win from Norris during a critical phase of the season. As a result, questions about whether McLaren should implement team orders to give one driver a clear advantage have been frequently raised.

Zak Brown acknowledged the complexity of managing two highly talented drivers but indicated that the team was still working to find the optimal balance for 2025. In his comments after the Abu Dhabi race, where Norris’ flawless performance secured McLaren’s constructors’ championship, Brown praised Norris for his role in the team’s success. He described the victory as one of the most intense and stressful moments of his career.

“The Abu Dhabi race was the worst two hours of my life, by far,” Brown admitted. “Lando drove brilliantly, and although Oscar had a tough start, the team executed the pit stop perfectly. I think I was the only one who was ready to have a heart attack for two hours, watching how it all unfolded. But Lando was flawless, and that’s what got us through.”

Brown further reflected on how the team had to manage the pressure during the race, especially with concerns about potential Safety Car periods and other unpredictable factors. However, Norris’ calm and error-free performance ensured that McLaren finished the season on a high note.

Looking ahead to 2025, Brown reiterated McLaren’s goal to not only defend their constructors’ title but to also secure the drivers’ championship. While the team will continue to support both Norris and Piastri, Brown indicated that they would allow the drivers to handle their own competition for the title. “Next year, we’ll try to repeat the constructors’ championship and go after the drivers’ title as well. I’ll let Oscar and Lando figure that one out themselves,” Brown stated.

McLaren’s approach for 2025 will likely see the team continue with an open-driver policy, allowing both Norris and Piastri to race each other without strict team orders. This philosophy is intended to encourage healthy competition between the two drivers while ensuring that both are motivated to perform at their best. Brown’s statement reflects his belief in the ability of both drivers to push the team forward without the need for interference from the team principal.

However, the issue of team orders will likely remain a point of discussion as McLaren aims for further success. While the drivers will have freedom to race each other, the team’s priorities may shift depending on the circumstances. If the title fight becomes more intense, McLaren could find themselves in a position where a clear number one driver is needed to maximize their chances of securing the drivers’ championship. For now, McLaren will focus on ensuring that both Norris and Piastri continue to develop and perform at their peak, while also working to maintain the harmony within the team.

In summary, McLaren is poised for another competitive season in 2025, with Zak Brown hinting at a flexible approach to team orders. While both Norris and Piastri are expected to have equal opportunities to race for the title, the team will monitor their progress and adjust if necessary to ensure that McLaren stays at the forefront of Formula 1. The team’s ability to manage the balance between fostering internal competition and maintaining focus on their shared goals will be crucial in the coming season.