McLaren ‘keeping scores’ on F1 upgrades to ensure fairness

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has lifted the lid on how the team manages fairness between its two title-contending drivers, explaining that the squad keeps “scores” of upgrades to ensure both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are treated equitably.

The Woking outfit heads into the decisive phase of the 2025 Formula 1 season with both of its drivers in contention for the championship. Piastri currently leads by nine points over his teammate, but Norris has been closing in after winning three of the last four races.

With just 10 rounds to go, Brown acknowledges the growing challenge of keeping the peace between his drivers. However, he insists that McLaren’s policy of open communication has been crucial to maintaining respect and balance inside the garage.

“It's all about transparency, being fair, being equitable,” Brown said on the How Leaders Lead with David Novak podcast.

A System of Fairness: “We keep scores”

One particular area Brown highlighted was how McLaren deals with car upgrades when only one part is available.

"When we have upgrades on the car and we can only give it to one driver for a race because two aren't ready, we tell them why," Brown explained.

“We don't let them find out by reading...'oh, he's got a new front wing, I don't'. So we give them the rationale. We keep scores. 'Hey, next time we get a new development', or we are in a position where one driver gets the benefit, the other can't, we keep score.”

This proactive approach, Brown said, ensures both Norris and Piastri feel they are being treated equally and understand that short-term compromises will balance out across the season.

Managing a title fight within the team

As Norris and Piastri prepare to battle through the final stretch of the season, Brown admits that maintaining harmony between his chargers will only become more difficult.

“They are good guys,” Brown said. “We are very fortunate. We definitely have the best driver line-up, which has been proven now that they are not only the two of the fastest drivers in the world, the two are really good guys, they are very competitive, they are very respectful.

“They have been brought up well. So hats off to the parents, most things go back to the parents at some point for all of us.

“And so just keeping them close, having fun, making sure issues [are solved].”

As the championship fight tightens, Brown is bracing for tougher times ahead but remains confident in McLaren’s approach.

“I've seen drivers go at it in the past,” he continued. “So I think we have a good sense of when there is a little bit of tension in the room. I really say there hasn't been [any tension].

“And it's going to get tougher because it looks like our two guys are going to fight it out for the championship and the others aren't far away, so I don't think it's just the two of them.

“But if everything goes according to them it will be [just the two of them]. They usually end in tears, but it's not with us and we are not afraid of it. We talk about it. It's not the elephant in the room.”

• Read also: McLaren will let Piastri and Norris shape F1 title celebrations

As the season builds towards its dramatic climax, Brown’s confidence in transparency and his drivers’ professionalism will be put to the test.

Whether McLaren’s careful and considerate oversight will be enough to prevent tensions boiling over remains to be seen, but team papaya’s approach suggests it is prepared for the challenge of managing two championship contenders under one roof.

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