Zak Brown, the Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Racing, has reaffirmed the team’s commitment to allowing their two drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, to compete freely against each other for the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship.
In an open letter addressed to McLaren fans as Formula 1 heads into the summer break, Zak Brown acknowledged that the Woking-based team is fully aware of “the risk of not backing a single number one driver.” This strategy has been central to McLaren’s approach throughout the 2025 season.
The first half of the 2025 Formula 1 season has seen an intense and thrilling rivalry between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Currently, Oscar Piastri leads the World Drivers’ Championship standings with a nine-point advantage over Lando Norris, having already secured 11 race wins this season.
Under Zak Brown’s leadership, McLaren Racing has often faced scrutiny and debate over their decision not to designate a “number one” driver. Although this approach has sparked some high-stakes on-track battles and even resulted in a collision between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris during the Canadian Grand Prix, Zak Brown remains confident and supportive of this strategy. The American CEO openly admitted that he is fully aware of the inherent risks involved in choosing not to prioritize a single driver as the team leader.
“Of course, we recognize that incidents have happened and will happen again,” Zak Brown wrote. “It is all about being prepared to face those moments and manage them effectively.”
He added, “I believe Montreal was a clear example of how well everyone handled the situation. We know the risk of not backing just one driver, but we are determined to give Oscar and Lando the same opportunities to fight on track for the World Drivers’ Championship title.”
“This approach is exciting for both us and the sport as a whole,” Zak Brown continued. “We believe that the benefits of running our team this way far outweigh the potential negative consequences, even though we understand incidents can occur. I am not naive.”
“The adrenaline and pressure will certainly increase, but the team will continue to work in harmony and manage any situations that arise. We are looking forward to a fantastic end to the year. I can’t wait to get back on track once the summer shutdown is over.”
During this season, Lando Norris secured a milestone victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking McLaren’s 200th Grand Prix win in Formula 1 history.
“We left Hungary celebrating the incredible achievement of McLaren’s 200th Grand Prix victory, making us only the second team in the history of Formula 1 to reach this remarkable milestone,” Zak Brown explained proudly.
Looking ahead to the summer break, McLaren Racing currently leads both the Constructors’ Championship and the Drivers’ Championship standings, boasting nearly a 300-point lead over the second-placed team. Additionally, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris hold the first and second positions respectively in the World Drivers’ Championship rankings.
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