McLaren’s Australian driver Oscar Piastri is following a career path similar to his teammate and Formula One world champion, Lando Norris, raising expectations that he could contend for the F1 title this season. As the team prepared for testing in Bahrain, McLaren CEO Zak Brown expressed optimism about both drivers’ readiness and potential for success in the coming races.
Brown highlighted that Piastri, entering his fourth year in Formula One, is showing growth comparable to Norris’s early career stages and is physically prepared and eager to compete.
He (Piastri) is now going into his fourth year. Lando has a lot more grands prix than he does so if you look at the development of Lando over that time, Oscar’s on a similar trajectory,
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
So he’s in a good place, physically very fit, excited, ready to go.
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
Australia’s Hope for First Title Since 1980
Since the Australian legended Alan Jones last won the world championship in 1980, Australia has seen no champion in Formula One, placing Piastri in a unique position. Having debuted with McLaren in Bahrain last year, the 24-year-old has already secured victory once in only his second season, while Norris reached a similar milestone only in his sixth year. Notably, both drivers achieved seven wins in the previous season.
Zak Brown noted that during the European winter break, he engaged extensively with Piastri to ensure a supportive environment for the young driver to build on his championship-leading form from 2025.
Brown addressed questions regarding perceptions of favoritism within McLaren, affirming that Piastri feels he is receiving equitable support.
he knows he’s getting a fair shake at it
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
You win some, you lose some. Things fall your way, things don’t fall your way,
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
Both Drivers Positioned for Title Contention
Confidence is high within McLaren not only for Piastri but also for Norris, who remains motivated and determined to defend his title. Zak Brown emphasized that the team’s objective is to provide competitive machinery that allows both drivers to compete for the championship on equal footing.
He’s highly motivated and it’s our job to give him and Oscar the equipment again to be able to let them fight it out for the championship,
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
If we can do that, I think Oscar and Lando will both be in with a shot.
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
At present, Mercedes’ George Russell is regarded as the early pre-season favorite following a shakedown test in Barcelona. Norris aspires to become only the second British driver after Lewis Hamilton to secure consecutive titles. Hamilton’s record includes seven championships, with notable streaks from 2017 to 2020 and back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015. Other multiple British world champions mentioned include Jim Clark, Graham Hill, and Jackie Stewart.
I think there are some drivers that say ‘I’ve done it. Now I’m done’,
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
And then you have drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher who go ‘I’ve done it once, now I want to do it twice and three or four times’.
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
Outlook for the Upcoming Season
Brown affirmed that strategic decisions about the drivers’ futures would be taken as circumstances develop, underlining the team’s belief in being highly competitive amid strong competition from the top four teams. While it remains early in the season, initial signs point to McLaren fielding a robust challenge through both Norris and Piastri.
We feel like we’ll be competitive. The top four teams all seem very competitive. Very early days but indications that we will be strong,
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO
The 2024 season will be pivotal for Piastri and Norris, as McLaren looks to capitalize on strong driver talent to contest for the championship and restore the team’s position at the forefront of Formula One.
