McLaren F1 team principal Zak Brown has stated that Oscar Piastri doesn’t need to feel the pressure of getting comfortable after narrowly losing the 2025 championship to teammate Lando Norris. Throughout the 24-race season, Norris and Piastri consistently improved, finishing just 13 points apart, with Norris securing his first world title.
Piastri won seven races and was a strong contender in the first half of the year but experienced a dip in form between the races in Azerbaijan and Sao Paulo. After the Abu Dhabi finale, Brown praised Piastri’s performance in 2025 and expressed confidence in his future as a world champion.
Brown remarked, “He’s a future world champion. Both drivers won seven races, performed exceptionally well, and supported each other.” He acknowledged racing’s unpredictability, noting that sometimes luck plays a role, and expressed excitement about continuing with both drivers next season.
He added that Piastri shouldn’t feel the need to ‘bounce back’ as he already achieved significant success, stating, “He should be proud. He won seven races and led the championship. Of course, he may feel disappointed, but there’s no comeback needed. He just needs to push once more.”
Brown emphasized the team’s approach to letting the drivers compete freely and learning from each race, highlighting moments like Piastri’s bold overtaking move in Abu Dhabi. He stressed the importance of giving both drivers equal opportunities and hinted at a thrilling competition ahead, saying, “We have two drivers capable of winning the world championship. Let’s see what happens next year.”
Norris’ triumph marks McLaren’s first driver championship since Lewis Hamilton’s victory in 2008.
Fan Take: This close battle between Norris and Piastri showcases the exciting future of McLaren and F1 racing. With two highly talented drivers pushing each other, fans can expect even more intense and thrilling seasons ahead, raising the sport’s competitive spirit to new heights.
