Why Brown thinks his McLaren drivers will stay pals regardless of F1 title battle

Zak Brown has each proper to really feel smug in the meanwhile. The McLaren CEO not solely has a automobile dominating the 2025 System 1 season, but in addition two settled drivers dedicated to the undertaking for the long run.

As rivals Mercedes and Pink Bull are pulled into public conversations concerning the futures of George Russell and Max Verstappen respectively, Brown can watch on realizing Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris each have contracts with McLaren – he has even backed the pair to stay pals regardless of a head-to-head battle for on-track superiority and, in all probability, the 2025 drivers' title.

Brown noticed Norris crash into the again of Piastri within the latter phases of the Canadian Grand Prix, the place McLaren missed out on a podium for the primary time this yr, whereas the duo have been allowed to struggle for the lead throughout a dominant show on the Austrian Grand Prix final weekend – though Piastri was warned in opposition to making a late dive after locking up and almost gathering his team-mate at Flip 4.

McLaren famously launched its ‘Papaya Guidelines' final season as Norris, winner on the Pink Bull Ring, was unsuccessfully battling Max Verstappen for the title – with the self-imposed laws nonetheless permitting its drivers to race each other until it was detrimental to the staff.

Requested whether or not its present 207-point lead within the constructors' championship impacts the principles of engagement for McLaren's drivers, Brown replied: “No. It is the identical guidelines. Race one another arduous, race one another clear, and try to get as many factors on the board for the staff. Then it is as much as them to determine who's in entrance of who.

“It [the fight in Austria] was very thrilling. It was an ideal race. They raced one another very arduous, very clear. I feel that is what everybody was trying ahead to seeing – lastly, that epic battle.

“After all, anytime you've got your two automobiles close to one another, it's kind of of a nail-biter, however I assumed they did an ideal job, it was an ideal race and it was good to see.”

Title fights down the years have seen pals and team-mates grow to be bitter rivals, however Norris and Piastri are totally different – in keeping with Brown.

“I feel the connection they've is incredible. We have put plenty of effort and time into constructing our staff and having a chemistry throughout the staff, and that begins with the drivers,” he stated.

“I feel you noticed how they dealt with Canada, how they've performed themselves, and I see no motive why they cannot have a giant battle all the best way to the tip. Might one of the best man win, and I am certain they're going to shake arms and congratulate one another.

“Clearly, each of them need to win, however I see no motive why, realizing the personalities and the best way they race, they cannot stay excellent team-mates.”

Brown was talking throughout a press convention on the British Grand Prix on Friday, the place Norris set the tempo in Free Follow 2, and whereas sat alongside Pink Bull staff principal Christian Horner.

Whereas Horner batted away a number of questions on the way forward for Verstappen and the potential of changing the Dutchman with Russell, Brown watched on from the identical shared couch – and when requested about his personal line-up, added: “Our drivers aren't going anyplace. They're very joyful, we're very joyful, so there isn't any want to have a look at some other drivers on the grid.”

Possibly slightly enviously, when requested if he had a ‘Plan B' ought to Verstappen depart, Horner quipped: “Oscar Piastri”. It introduced a smile to Brown's face, and in the meanwhile, the American can actually afford a broad grin.