McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has outlined how the team is handling the fierce Formula 1 drivers‘ championship contest between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Brown emphasized the importance of transparency and equal treatment in sharing car upgrades to prevent conflict between the two drivers.
Ensuring Fairness Through Open Communication on Upgrades
Brown explained that McLaren maintains full openness about technical developments, especially when an upgrade can only be fitted to one car at a time.
“It’s all about transparency, being fair, being equitable,”
Brown said on the podcast How Leaders Lead with David Novak. He added,
“When we have upgrades on the car and we can only give it to one driver for a race because two aren’t ready, we tell them why. We don’t let them find out by reading, ‘Oh, he’s got a new front wing, I don’t.’”
Continuing on the subject of fairness, Brown revealed that the team keeps track of which driver benefits from upgrades to ensure balance.
“So we give them the rationale. We keep scores. ‘Hey, next time we get a new development.’ Or we are in a position where one driver gets the benefit, the other can’t, we keep score.”
Current Standings Highlight Competitive Yet Respectful Rivalry
Heading into the Formula 1 summer break, Oscar Piastri leads Lando Norris by just nine points, with 284 points to Norris’s 275. Despite this tight battle, Brown remains optimistic that the drivers’ on-track rivalry will not create tension within the team.
“They are good guys,” Brown said, reflecting on the maturity and mutual respect between the two.
“We are very fortunate. We definitely have the best driver line-up which has been proven now that they are not only two of the fastest drivers in the world, the two are really good guys, they are very competitive, they are very respectful.”
The Role of Upbringing and Team Culture in Managing Rivalry
Brown praised the drivers’ backgrounds, crediting their families for fostering their character.
“They have been brought up well. So hats off to the parents, most things go back to the parents at some point for all of us,”
he noted. Brown emphasized the importance of keeping communication open to resolve any potential issues.
“I’ve seen drivers go at it in the past. So I think we have a good sense of when there is a little bit of tension in the room. I really say there hasn’t been [any tension]. And it’s going to get tougher because it looks like our two guys are going to fight it out for the championship and the others aren’t far away, so I don’t think it’s just the two of them.”
Addressing concerns about rivalry leading to negative consequences, Brown remarked,
“But if everything goes according to them it will be [just the two of them]. They usually end in tears, but it’s not with us and we are not afraid of it. We talk about it. It’s not the elephant in the room.”
—Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO
The Broader Impact of the Norris-Piastri Championship Battle
The close contest between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris showcases not only McLaren’s competitive strength but also its ability to manage complex interpersonal dynamics within the team. By prioritizing transparency and fairness, McLaren fosters a healthy environment that allows its drivers to push each other while maintaining respect and team unity.
As the season progresses beyond the summer break, this carefully managed rivalry is expected to intensify, with both drivers poised to challenge for the championship. McLaren’s approach may serve as a model for other teams facing similar high-stakes rivalries, where clear communication and equitable treatment can prevent off-track tension and support peak performance on race day.
