Zak Brown Prioritizes Fair Play Over Preferential Treatment at McLaren

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has declared that the team will not favor either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri in their championship pursuit, even if it means Max Verstappen ultimately claims the title. Brown’s stance, rooted in the team’s commitment to fairness, remains firm despite the potential for a repeat of the dramatic 2007 season where internal rivalry opened the door for a competitor.

Why it matters:

McLaren's principled approach to driver equality, even in the heat of a championship battle, is a stark contrast to historical precedents in Formula 1. This decision reflects a long-term strategy to foster a healthy team environment and maximize both drivers' potential, rather than sacrificing one for short-term gain. It underscores a belief that a fair internal competition will ultimately lead to a stronger, more cohesive team capable of sustained success, even if it introduces the risk of an external rival benefiting.

The Details:

• Unwavering Neutrality: Brown insists McLaren will not back one driver over the other, even if it risks Max Verstappen winning the championship.
• Current Standings: Norris and Piastri are separated by just one point, making any favoritism nearly impossible and unjustifiable with 116 points still available in the final four rounds.
• Verstappen's Threat: While Verstappen is 36 points behind Norris, Brown emphasizes that McLaren must focus on their own performance rather than actively trying to block Verstappen at the cost of internal fairness.
• Echoes of 2007: Brown referenced the 2007 season, where internal strife between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso at McLaren allowed Kimi Raikkonen to snatch the title in the final race. He'd rather see a repeat of this outcome—where both McLaren drivers fought on equal terms—than impose team orders.
  • Brown stated: "I want to make sure if we don’t win, he beats us. We don’t beat ourselves. That’s important."
• Principled Stance: Brown views risking a 2007 repeat as the lesser of two evils compared to telling one driver, currently just one point apart, that their championship dream is over due to a team decision.

The Big Picture:

This decision by McLaren's leadership highlights a significant cultural commitment to parity. Team Principal Andrea Stella and Brown have consistently stressed that both Norris and Piastri are 'number one' drivers. This philosophy aims to avoid the toxic internal dynamics that have plagued other teams, including McLaren itself in the past, ensuring that both drivers feel fully supported and motivated to perform at their best. It's a gamble, but one based on strong team values rather than purely strategic calculations to maximize championship odds.

What's next:

McLaren will continue to allow Norris and Piastri to compete freely in the remaining four rounds of the F1 season. The success of this strategy will be judged not only by the championship outcome but also by the continued performance and cohesion of their driver lineup. If both drivers maintain their strong form and the team avoids internal conflict, it could set a new standard for how top teams manage competitive duos, even in high-stakes title fights.