McLaren CEO Zak Brown has revealed that the team is continuing to block out “external noise” as it bids to ensure one of its drivers wins the 2025 Formula 1 title.
What started as an intra-team battle at the start of the season has become a thrilling three-way fight for the title between the McLaren duo and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The ‘papaya rules’ allowing Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to race have allowed Verstappen to close the gap, with the Dutchman overcoming a huge deficit to be 36 points behind.
While Norris imperiously won in Mexico, the same performance is not expected this weekend in Brazil, with more precious points potentially slipping away with just four races left.
However, Brown remains convinced that securing the team’s first double Constructors and Drivers’ title since 1998 is within its grasp, revealing a focus only on its own performance.
“We stay focused on ourselves, and we don’t pay attention to external noise,” he said at a McLaren friends and family event.
“And the last thing I would like to add is that we’ve won the four races I wanted us to win this year. We wanted to win in Bahrain for our big boss, we wanted to win in Monaco for the Triple Crown – and because it’s Monaco – and we wanted to win Australia and Silverstone because they’re our drivers’ home races.
“If you had asked me at the beginning of the year, which are the four races you want to win, those are the four I would have said.”
Evolution key to McLaren clinching both titles
Meanwhile, McLaren boss Andrea Stella spoke about the need for the team to continue its push for performance, given the threat of Verstappen in the closing races.
“I think Oscar said it well earlier, when he spoke about constant evolution, and that’s what I want to refer to,” he said.
“In Formula 1, if you think you can relax, rest, or slow down because things are working well, then you are going to have big surprises in the future.
“You need to keep evolving, you need to keep finding ways to progress – you need to change for the better.”
READ MORE – The positive McLaren sees to recent Oscar Piastri F1 struggles
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