Brown Predicts Piastri’s Championship Lead Will Only Strengthen, Explains Implications for Norris
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has publicly stated his belief that Oscar Piastri, the current leader of the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, will only become a stronger contender as the season progresses. This prediction follows Piastri’s impressive start to the 2025 season, which includes three victories in the first five races, most recently at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Piastri’s win in Jeddah propelled him to the top of the standings with 99 points, a comfortable 10 points ahead of his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, and 12 points clear of reigning champion Max Verstappen. Speaking to F1 TV after the race, Brown was emphatic about Piastri’s trajectory, stating, “I’m here to announce to everyone [that] I think he’s only going to get stronger.”
This strong endorsement naturally raises questions about the implications for Lando Norris, who, despite showing strong pace, has had a mixed start to the season, including a qualifying crash in Saudi Arabia. Brown addressed this by reiterating McLaren’s commitment to treating both drivers equally. “We’ve got our two number ones,” Brown affirmed. “I think they’re equal, they race each other hard. I think we’ve yet to see them really have an epic battle – I think that day’s coming, I’m looking forward to it.”
Brown expressed confidence that any on-track battles between his drivers would be conducted cleanly, emphasizing their respect for each other. “They race hard, they race clean, so I know everyone’s waiting for that big moment. I think it’s going to be a bit of a non-event for us internally. We know it’s more of a when than an if. We have two great Grand Prix drivers racing hard, next to each other the majority of the time – something’s going to happen, but that’s racing, so I’m excited.”
The McLaren duo will have their next opportunity to compete head-to-head at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, a circuit where Norris secured his maiden Formula 1 victory in 2024.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has also acknowledged Piastri’s strong start to the season, praising his “very calm” approach and highlighting his consistency in delivering results and minimizing mistakes – qualities the reigning champion believes are crucial for a title fight.
Piastri’s championship lead marks a significant moment, making him the first Australian to lead the F1 drivers’ standings in 15 years. As the season progresses, the dynamic between the two talented McLaren drivers will undoubtedly be a key storyline to watch, with Brown’s prediction adding an extra layer of anticipation to their on-track encounters.