McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has shared an in-depth mid-season update, highlighting the team’s progress, race victories, and philosophy on handling a title fight between team-mates.
In a letter addressed to fans, Brown praised the McLaren F1 squad’s determination and sharp focus, calling on everyone involved to remain relentless in the pursuit of success.
The American executive also reflected on major wins at iconic venues, while addressing the internal dynamics of allowing Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to fight freely for the championship.
As McLaren prepares for the second half of the 2025 season, currently enjoying its strongest campaign in over a decade, Brown offered a candid look at the team’s mindset — and what lies ahead in a tightly contested title race.
Building on Momentum
Brown began by applauding the team’s effort and collective spirit, but cautioned against complacency in the ultra-competitive world of Formula 1.
“If I take a step back and look at the team, I can see a lot of energy, a laser-sharp focus, and an incredible determination to succeed,” he said.
“But crucially, we must continue striving to be the very best we can be in the ultra-competitive world of Formula 1. We are always looking for ways to improve.
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“The moment you rest on your laurels, any competitive edge you have can disappear in the blink of an eye. And when we look at the competition, we must remember that even our weakest rival is really damn good.
“We’re talking about milliseconds. So the secret to our success is to come together and never give up.”
The first half of 2025 has brought memorable moments for McLaren, including landmark victories that carry symbolic weight for the team’s legacy and stakeholders.
“For me personally, I have two highlights so far this year. The first was winning the Monaco Grand Prix, for obvious reasons,” he continued.
“It’s a Triple Crown event, along with the Indy 500 and the 24 hours of Le Mans and sits at the very core of McLaren’s DNA.
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"McLaren Racing is one of the only teams to have won the prestigious Triple Crown, and we want to achieve that again when we enter the World Endurance Championship in 2027.”
“Secondly, winning the Bahrain Grand Prix was a very special moment for us as a team. The Crown Prince and Mumtalakat, our long-standing shareholders, have been tremendous supporters, and they had never won their home race before – so achieving victory in Sakhir was incredibly important for everyone at McLaren.”
Equal Footing in the Title Fight
Much of the buzz surrounding McLaren this season has focused on the championship battle between Norris and Piastri, a rare intra-team fight that Brown insists will remain fair and open.
“When it comes to fighting for a world title between team-mates, everyone has a different perspective – and some people can be critical – so it’s important for me to clarify a few things,” he said.
“Firstly, I’ve said it before, but I truly believe we have the best driver line-up in Formula 1, and I wouldn’t trade it for any other.”
“Secondly, when you have two drivers going head-to-head for the World Championship, there’s naturally a lot of excitement - and we share that excitement. There’s nothing we like more than watching these guys battle it out. So may the best man win.”
Brown acknowledged that tensions are inevitable when drivers compete at the highest level, but pointed to recent examples of how the team has managed such situations effectively.
“Of course, we recognise that incidents have happened and will happen again. It’s all about how well you’re prepared for those moments and how you deal with them.
"I think Montreal was a shining example of how well everyone handled the situation. We know the risk of not throwing our weight behind one driver, but we will give Oscar and Lando equal opportunity to fight it out on track to win the Drivers’ World Championship.”
No Fear of the Fallout
While some teams might lean toward favouring a single driver in a close title race, Brown made it clear McLaren is taking a different approach, one that prioritizes fairness and competition.
“That’s exciting for us, and for the sport. We believe the benefits of racing this way far outweigh the consequences - despite the fact we know incidents can happen,” he insisted.
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“I’m not naive. The adrenaline and pressure will rise, but the team will continue to work in harmony and manage the situations as they come.
“It’s shaping up to be a fantastic end to the year. I can’t wait to get back on track once the summer shutdown is over.”
With McLaren now firmly in the title conversation, Brown’s letter offers a glimpse into a team that’s evolved from midfield challengers into genuine contenders – and one that’s ready to handle the pressure of championship expectations without compromising its values.
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