McLaren chief delivers bold title prediction about Oscar Piastri
Zak Brown is confident that Oscar Piastri will one day clinch the Formula 1 drivers’ title with McLaren, despite finishing behind teammate Lando Norris this season.
“Oscar is going to be a world champion. I'm convinced…”- Zak Brown
Speaking to GPBlog in the aftermath of Norris’ championship victory in Abu Dhabi, the McLaren CEO expressed confidence in the Australian’s ability to one day win the drivers’ title, while also highlighting the risk the team took in signing Piastri.
“Oscar is going to be a world champion. I'm convinced he's going to be a world champion in a McLaren. While we got him a little later in his career, we still took a risk on both our drivers,” he said.
“Both times they drove a Formula 1 car, it was a McLaren, and for a big team to take a risk on young drivers feels very rewarding,” he added.
The American motorsport chief also expressed how delighted he was for the McLaren team to have what he describes as two ‘awesome’ drivers.
“To be able to have two number-one drivers against all odds, with all the noise that we've had for so long, and to achieve what we did, having two awesome racing drivers who won seven races each, genuinely enjoy racing each other, and are a treat to work with, is incredible.”
Brown further highlighted how he barely encountered issues with either Piastri or Norris, and stated that he is already looking to replicate the successes experienced in 2025.
“They've never had an odd exchange between them. They've both been a little grumpy with Andrea and me from time to time, but I think that's good. We're pushing each other hard. It's just such an accomplishment, and I'm very proud and looking forward to doing it again,” he concluded.
The McLaren team witnessed both its drivers finish in the top three of the drivers’ standings, with Norris clinching the championship while Piastri finished third, 13 points behind the British driver.
Brown cuts in on Piastri’s engineer
The McLaren CEO seemed to interrupt Tom Stallard on two occasions as he tried to speak with Piastri in the aftermath of the race at the Yas Marina Circuit.
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