P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The McLaren CEO is keen for the team to remain alert and not be “naive” when fighting rivals.
Zak Brown is determined to keep McLaren alert against rivals trying to imitate their success in Formula 1. Despite starting the 2023 season with a slow car, McLaren’s continuous upgrades led them to climb the ranks, with Oscar Piastri winning a race in Qatar. In 2024, McLaren’s MCL38 is considered the fastest, with Piastri and Lando Norris each claiming their first Grand Prix victories, aiming for their first constructors’ title since 1998. Currently trailing Red Bull by 42 points, McLaren plans to transition most of their current car components to the 2025 season before the significant aerodynamic and power unit rule changes in 2026. Brown acknowledges the need to stay vigilant, as he believes any team outside the top four could replicate McLaren’s success due to the competitive nature of F1. He expressed confidence in Mercedes’ power unit for the upcoming changes, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the rule overhaul for 2026.
