McLaren were the fastest team last season, developing a package that was capable of victories on a consistent basis. However, much like Ferrari, the Woking squad is looking to push the boundaries with their 2025 package. Zak Brown elaborates on this topic.
McLaren aim for both Championships in 2025
In many ways, last year’s campaign was bitter-sweet for McLaren.
Despite claiming their first constructors title of the 21st century, there was still the frustration of missing out on the drivers crown.
Considering the team’s strategic and operational unforced errors (alongside some key moments between Norris and Verstappen), McLaren understandably want to go one step further in 2025.
Assuming that Ferrari and Mercedes continue to progress, McLaren’s advantage from the 2024 campaign could be eroded.
In this context, the papaya squad are taking risks with their 2025 package, as CEO Zak Brown explains:
“The team is not [saying] – ‘Let’s just tweak a little here and there. The car is pretty good.’
“We’ve got some stuff on next year’s car that is like, brave risk,” he told autosport.com.
“I think you only get to the front if you try and beat everyone, as opposed to the mindset when we started this year, which was like, ‘Let’s just be as good as them.’
“The mind shift is now – Let’s beat everyone.”
A golden opportunity for McLaren
Considering McLaren’s difficulties from a little less than two years ago, their progress has been stratospheric.
Unlike Mercedes, Ferrari and even Red Bull, the British outfit’s upgrades have worked without fail since mid-2023.
Under the current regulations, this is a rare achievement. Most teams have faced major discrepancies between their wind tunnel data and what actually transpires on track.
The fact McLaren have successfully evaded these issues will inspire confidence ahead of 2025. Perhaps this is the reason why aggressive changes are being made over the winter – with the team confident in their simulation tools.
Considering that the 2026 regulations represent a huge unknown, this year could be McLaren’s best chance in some time to secure the drivers Championship.
Managing Norris and Piastri
Zak Brown has already discussed the importance of managing Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris’ dynamic this year. Even with Verstappen clinching the 2024 crown with a few rounds to go, McLaren still had their fair share of inter-team controversy.
Their use of team orders (or lack thereof) became a major talking point in Hungary, Monza and subsequent races.
Assuming this year’s title equation is even remotely similar to 2024, McLaren will have two drivers regularly fighting for wins.
The question is whether Norris will establish himself as the team’s lead driver as the year develops. Considering that several teams could be fighting for the title, it is essential that McLaren understands which driver to prioritise this season.
In an ideal scenario for the British outfit, their package will be competitive enough to give them a buffer against their closest rivals.
However, this will be very different for Andrea Stella’s personnel to achieve. More than ever, McLaren must optimise their performance and take a step forward operationally to reach new heights.
