Zak Brown and McLaren reject 2025 favourite label

The first world champion title won by McLaren in twenty-six years does not make the heads of senior management turn. Crowned among the constructors in 2024, the papaya team will have a good chance of hoping to be able to retain its world crown, thanks in particular to regulatory stability in 2025. However, the CEO of the Woking team refuses to be labeled as a big favorite. "I think it would be arrogant to say we are the favourites.", said Zak Brown. "However, I don't see why we couldn't be one of the favourites, but there are four teams that regularly win races, so I don't see how you can put someone in the shoes of a favourite for next year." 

The American leader took the opportunity to praise the work of his technical director in charge of aerodynamics, Pete Prodromou, since his arrival in March 2023. "He came in this year thinking we could win the world championship, Brown says. That's everybody's mindset now, but I know there's at least three other teams, and maybe a surprise, but at least three other teams that will have the same mindset, and I think they have as good a chance as anyone else."

McLaren now aims for the drivers' title

Satisfied on the constructors' level, McLaren also hopes to be able to fight even more closely for the drivers' world championship title, which has eluded it since 2008 when Lewis Hamilton had been consecrated. “Every race weekend you see the best driver duo in Formula 1, Lando and Oscar, to take the wheel of the MCL38 and work for this team. This year, they have been at the forefront most of the time, with six Grand Prix wins, 21 podiums and eight pole positions, including a run of 14 consecutive podiums, the second longest run in our history."

“Our drivers did us proud. Lando pushed Max to the limit in the Drivers’ Championship and is the first driver to finish second for us since Jenson (Button) in 2011. And in only his second season, Oscar became the first McLaren driver to finish as high as fourth since Lewis (Hamilton) in 2012. On and off the track, both have made huge strides this year, showing they have what it takes to challenge for the championship.” The date is set for 2025. For both championships, this time!

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