Is McLaren hiding something? The MCL39 has a secret weapon, according to Zak Brown. McLaren appears to have emerged as the favorite from the Bahrain tests.

Many believe McLaren will start the season at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne as the clear favorite to win both titles in 2025. However, according to the team’s CEO, Zak Brown, some key aspects of the MCL39 have yet to be noticed. During testing in Bahrain, the MCL39 finished first only on the opening day, with Lando Norris topping the timesheets, but from the outset, the car appeared well-balanced, fast, and very consistent in race simulations.

In 2024, McLaren initially started as the fourth-best team in the opening stages but quickly established itself as the best car after the first few races. Red Bull’s stellar start, the tight battle among four teams at the top, and a few too many mistakes from both the team and drivers prevented Lando Norris from challenging Max Verstappen for the Drivers’ Title. However, the Woking-based team triumphed in the Constructors’ Championship last season, reclaiming a title that had been missing since 1998.

This year, the objective is clear: repeat as a team and allow their drivers to truly fight for the world championship. Based on what could be inferred from testing, the foundations seem to be in place. The MCL39 has proven to be drivable, consistent, and fast in race pace compared to its direct rivals. However, it is important to remember that these were only tests—there could already be surprises in Melbourne, and everything can change over the course of the season.

Speaking with Sky Sport during pre-season Formula 1 testing, Zak Brown hinted with a touch of mischief that there is a hidden feature on the new McLaren that no one has yet discovered. Initially, Zak Brown compared the new car to the 2024 MCL38: “I think we tried to improve what we already had.”

However, according to the Woking team’s CEO, the new car still has some secrets to unveil. “There’s something there that, in my opinion, hasn’t been fully noticed yet,” he stated. “But I think it will be discovered in due time, once everyone brings out their cameras. Obviously, we ended last year with a competitive car, but in a way, so did everyone else. I think the grid will be more competitive than ever.” – he concluded.