Zak Brown has his eyes set on securing the F1 Drivers’ Championship for one of his drivers. He is looking to do so by keeping to McLaren’s key values.
The F1 Drivers’ Championship battle is coming down to the final race of the season. At the end of the Abu Dhabi GP, one of Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, or Oscar Piastri will take the championship.
Despite the standings being so close, only one can win. And McLaren has two drivers in contention. But they have made a point of playing fairly throughout the season, so Zak Brown may have some difficult decisions to make in Abu Dhabi.
Issuing team orders
Throughout the 2025 season, McLaren has tried to give Norris and Piastri equal opportunities to win. This has meant that they have not looked to give team orders that will aid one driver in the championship.
However, as they head into Abu Dhabi, the team may need to issue orders to secure the championship for one of the McLaren drivers. If Norris finishes P3 or higher, he guarantees the title regardless of what Verstappen or Piastri do. As a result, the team may instruct Oscar Piastri to swap positions with Lando Norris. This would be to prevent Max Verstappen from winning the championship.
When asked if this was something he would consider, Zak Brown made it clear that the team’s focus is on securing the championship.
“In the sense of team orders, as long as both drivers have a chance to win the World Championship – which they clearly do sitting here right now – then it’s business as usual. They’re free to race. Obviously, we’ll be practical and realistic.
“If, as the weekend develops, as the race develops, it becomes clear that one has a significantly better chance than the other, then we’re a team that wants to win the Drivers’ Championship, and we will race accordingly, to do whatever we can to get that driver in front to try and win the race.
“So, you know, our team orders have been around giving equal opportunity to win the championship. But if, as the race plays out, it becomes clear that both can’t, then we’re going to do what’s in the best interest of the team and try and win the Drivers’ Championship.”
A change of direction
If these team orders are issued, it goes against McLaren’s principles of fair racing. They have stuck to this all year, so it will be different to make a change at the final race.
However, Zak Brown feels that it isn’t a U-turn in their decision-making. He claimed that the call for team orders will be more common sense than picking a number 1 driver.
He provided Baku 2024 as an example. With Lando Norris out in Q1, he held Sergio Pérez up after the Mexican stopped. This allowed Oscar Piastri to remain ahead as Red Bull had tried to undercut the Aussie.
“I don’t think it’s a U-turn. We’re going to start the weekend like we have the other 23, which is going in, giving both drivers equal opportunity. I think last year, once it became clear that Lando had the best chance to catch Max and Oscar was almost statistically out of it — in Baku — we then asked Oscar to support Lando.And it ended up being Lando who supported Oscar in that particular race, and Oscar won the race. So, we’re going to use common sense.
“We’re not going to throw away a Drivers’ Championship over a sixth and seventh place, a third and a fourth place, a fifth and a sixth place if one of our drivers doesn’t have the opportunity. I think everything we do, we do with the drivers so they know what the game plan is for this weekend. And, you know, kind of outside of our racing team, you’re a bit damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”
“And so we’re going to just stay true to our racing principles. We want to win the Constructors’ — which we’ve done — we want to win the Drivers’, and so we’ll see how the race plays out.”
Both drivers would respect instructions
He is also confident that, should the call be made, Piastri will comply and aid Norris.
“Our drivers have always complied with team wishes, just as we comply with their wishes. So, I’ve got no doubt either of our drivers will continue to race as they’ve done brilliantly — in the best interest of the team.”
Keeping it clean
Despite everything on the line, Zak Brown wants to win the championship by racing cleanly. He believes that the best way to win is to “race hard and race clean.”
“I mean, we’re going to race cleanly. Obviously, strategy comes into play, but I like everyone on the Formula 1 grid, and I think we’re here to race hard, race clean. So that’s exactly what I expect — how the race will play out. We all have multiple cars, etcetera, so you’ll be smart and strategic, but I think it’ll be a very healthy battle to the finish.”
