McLaren CEO Zak Brown has identified the budget cap as the crucial element behind his drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri leading the 2025 F1 championship standings after 14 rounds. The pair currently hold the top two positions, showcasing extraordinary performance throughout the season.
Oscar Piastri leads the drivers‘ standings with 284 points, having secured six Grand Prix victories, while Lando Norris follows closely in second place with 275 points and five race wins. Both drivers share the same number of podium finishes, which stands at 12 each. This remarkable consistency puts them well ahead of third-placed Max Verstappen, who has 187 points with two wins and five podiums so far.
Zak Brown attributed much of McLaren’s success to the budget cap, valued at $135 million for the 2025 season, an initiative that originated during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Speaking with David Novak on How Leaders Lead, Brown explained how the timing of the pandemic influenced the enforcement and levels of the cap.
“That was a huge, and we were lucky on timing from a COVID point of view. Obviously COVID was a terrible thing, but it put the sport under an immense amount of pressure.
“And that was right when we were talking to the budget cap, which was actually going to be significantly higher. So we got a little bit lucky with the timing because it allowed me to push even harder to get the budget cap down.”
Since its introduction in 2021, the budget cap has limited teams‘ spending in car development, leveling the playing field. This change has especially benefited smaller and midfield teams like McLaren, reducing the previous advantage enjoyed by teams that invested heavily in technology.
Zak Brown Expresses Optimism about Norris and Piastri’s On-Track Rivalry
Alongside acknowledging the budget cap’s influence, Zak Brown emphasized the mutual respect and communication between Norris and Piastri, suggesting their rivalry will remain competitive yet professional during the remainder of the 2025 season. Brown expressed anticipation for the battles ahead, recognizing the unique dynamic between his two drivers.
“I don’t think they’ll properly fall out because of the communication, trust and respect we all have, and they have for each other. We’re very fortunate to have the two personalities that we have. We love the challenge. I’m looking forward to them racing each other.”
The F1 calendar resumes on August 29, with Round 15 at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. Fans and analysts alike will closely watch Norris and Piastri as they continue their intense competition for the drivers’ championship, which remains wide open at this stage.
The success of McLaren’s approach, led by strong drivers and strategic budget management, could shift the competitive landscape of Formula 1 in coming years. How this rivalry develops may also impact driver dynamics across teams, adding further excitement to the season’s second half.
