McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has credited team principal Andrea Stella as the Woking-based outfit’s “real secret weapon” in their bid to capture both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships this season in F1.
After a blistering start to the campaign, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri securing victories in Australia and China respectively, McLaren has emerged as the team to beat in 2025.
Norris currently leads the drivers’ standings by eight points over four-time champion Max Verstappen, with Piastri just 10 points behind. Meanwhile, McLaren holds a 21-point lead over Mercedes in the constructors’ battle.
Reflecting on the team’s dominant one-two finish in Shanghai – their 50th in the F1 outfit’s history – Brown heaped praise, and not for the first time, on Stella’s leadership and the team’s strategic execution.
“It definitely wasn't what it might look like on paper,” Brown told Sky Sports F1. “Our team did a great job with strategy.
“Again, I think we've shown we've got the best driver lineup, and then, our real secret weapon is the best team principal in Formula 1.”
For Brown, Stella’s leadership – paired with stellar strategist and engineering departments – has turned McLaren into a juggernaut.
“So you put those combos together and all the great work that the men and women have done at McLaren, back at the MTC, and at the race tracks, we're getting great results.
“You can see it's pretty close, so we've got to keep focusing.”
Stability Key to Success
A key pillar of McLaren’s resurgence has been Brown’s commitment to stability within the team. Recently, he secured Piastri on a long-term contract that reportedly mirrors Norris’ deal, ensuring both drivers remain with the team for the foreseeable future.
Brown emphasized how vital this move was for McLaren’s overall growth:
“It was critical for the whole team,” he said. “If you look at our pit wall, our technical leadership, Andrea, our drivers, it's all about stability, visibility, teamwork, camaraderie, and the drivers get along great. They’ve done such an outstanding job.
“They came back from the winter so focused on themselves, on the team, technically understanding what we've done with the car, and they're both at the top of their game, and it’s great to see how great they’re both doing.”
Optimism Heading into Japan
As McLaren prepares for the next challenge at Suzuka, Brown remains confident but cautious. While McLaren has traditionally been strong at the Japanese circuit, he acknowledges that competition at the top is razor-thin.
“We go into every weekend knowing there are four teams that can win,” he said. “It's great that we're one of them.
“We're historically good in Japan. It's a great circuit. With Formula 1, it was predicted this is going to be an epic season, and I think that's what we're starting to see.”
With Stella at the helm, a rock-solid driver lineup, and a competitive car, McLaren’s championship aspirations are well and truly alive.
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