Brown: Both F1 championships are ‘priorities’ for McLaren

McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown has declared that both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships will be firmly in the team’s sights when the Formula 1 season resumes later this month.

The Woking-based outfit has managed to uphold this season the strong momentum it displayed last year, elevating itself to the second-best team on the grid behind Red Bull Racing.

Amid an impressive run of ten consecutive podiums since last April’s Chinese Grand Prix, McLaren has claimed two outright wins so far this year, courtesy of Lando Norris in Miami and of Oscar Piastri in Hungary.

Team papaya now sits just 42 points behind Red Bull in the Constructors’ standings.

Despite Lando Norris trailing Max Verstappen by 78 points in the Drivers’ championship, Brown insists that both titles are equally important.

The Briton evidently missed an opportunity to close the gap on the Dutchman in Hungary when he was instructed to yield the lead to teammate Oscar Piastri.

This decision sparked speculation that McLaren might be prioritizing the Constructors’ championship.

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But Brown vehemently denied the claim.

“They are both priorities because, ultimately, to win the Constructors, we need our two drivers to be as high up as possible. I’d like to see both drivers in the top three,” the American explained.

“We’ve got second and fourth right now. The closer we get to the Drivers, the closer that’ll get us to the Constructors, so we’re going for both because all points count.”

With McLaren back in contention for race wins, the prospect of a championship challenge is obviously a tantalizing one.

“I guess the next big occasion for us would be trying to go for the championship. It’s certainly a nice feeling,” Brown added.

“The drivers, the team and everyone has done a wonderful job to get 10 podiums in a row. It is pretty awesome.

“To be competing for the Drivers’ and the Constructors’ Championship is a pretty cool place to be coming into the summer break.

“So there’s a lot of work you have to do, it’s not going to be easy.

“It’s going to be an exciting second part of the year, but I’m very happy with everything that’s been accomplished here at McLaren.”

Despite the team’s impressive form, Brown is keeping a watchful eye on Ferrari and Mercedes, both forces to be reckoned with in the back half of the 2024 F1 season.

“We want to beat all nine teams,” he added. “Ferrari is not far behind us, so I think you can’t rule them out.

“Mercedes is on pace, won the last three of the last four races. Fortunately, we’ve got about a 100-point gap there.

“We might need every one of those points if they continue on the path they’re on.

“I expect them to be super strong in the second half of the year. So, I’m glad we got a little bit of a cushion.”

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