Brown: McLaren 2025 title hopes high, but no room for ‘arrogance’

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has tempered expectations for the 2025 Formula 1 season, stating that while the team is aiming for both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships next season, labeling themselves as favorites would be “arrogant” given the intense competition in the sport.

McLaren clinched F1’s Constructors’ Championship in a tight battle with Ferrari, securing the title by just 14 points in Abu Dhabi.

Amid an intensely competitive landscape, four teams – McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes –claimed multiple race victories in 2024.

While Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship, McLaren’s consistency ultimately crowned them team champions.

Brown acknowledged the strength of the competition heading into 2025 as he cautioned against overconfidence.

No Favorites in a Tight Field

“I think favorites would be arrogant,” commented the McLaren chief, quoted by RACER.

“I see no reason why we can’t be one of the favorites. You’ve got four teams that are winning races on a regular basis, so I don’t see how you can put anybody as a favorite going into next year.

“To [McLaren technical director of aerodynamics] Pete Prodromou’s credit, he came into this year thinking we could win the world championship. I wasn’t there. I’m there now, that next year, we’re going to try and win the constructors’ and drivers’ world championship.

“That’s the mindset of everyone else, but I know there’s at least three other teams, and maybe a surprise, but at least three other teams that will have that same mindset, and I think they have as good a chance as anyone.”

Confidence in Norris and Piastri

Brown also expressed pride in McLaren’s driver lineup, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both securing their first career victories in 2024.

Norris claimed four wins while Piastri added two, contributing to the team’s six wins, 21 podiums, and eight pole positions over the season.

“Every race weekend, you watch Formula 1’s best driver pairing, Lando and Oscar, get behind the wheel of the MCL38 and put in a shift for this team,” Brown said.

“More often than not this year, that’s been at the front of the field, with six grand prix wins, 21 podiums, and eight pole positions, including a run of 14 consecutive podiums, the second-longest streak in our history.

• Read also: McLaren must ‘hit the ground running’ in 2025, says Norris’ race engineer

“Our drivers have done us proud. Lando pushed Max hard in the drivers’ championship and is the first driver to finish second for us since Jenson [Button] in 2011. And in only his second season, Oscar has become the first McLaren driver to finish as high as fourth for us since Lewis [Hamilton] in 2012.

“On and off track, both made huge strides this year, showing they’ve got what it takes to challenge for the championship.”

In summary, McLaren is entering the 2025 season with high ambitions but also a clear understanding of the challenges ahead. While aiming for both titles, they recognize the strength of their rivals and are avoiding any premature declarations of favoritism.

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