McLaren Racing Maintains Equal-Driver Philosophy Amid Championship Battle
McLaren Racing’s CEO Zak Brown has reaffirmed the team’s commitment to an equal treatment policy for its drivers, despite the risks associated with potentially jeopardizing championship outcomes. The 2024 season has seen Lando Norris emerge as a contender against reigning champion Max Verstappen, while McLaren remains wary of the repercussions of favoritism.
Norris finished 63 points behind Verstappen last year, with McLaren only favoring his championship hopes over teammate Oscar Piastri in the later part of the season. "We have our belief system, and we just stick to it," Brown stated, acknowledging that the approach may allow rivals to close in. He recalled the 2007 season when equal treatment of drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso ultimately benefited Kimi Räikkönen, who clinched the title.
Reflecting on this, Brown emphasized: "Our drivers are treated equally, fairly. There’s nothing in their contract that gives one priority over the other." He maintained that a fair racing environment benefits the team as a whole and minimizes the risk of driver discontent.
With only nine points separating Piastri from Norris, Brown expressed confidence in their ability to maintain a positive relationship throughout the championship fight. "When you look at which way their relationship is going, it’s getting stronger every day," he noted.
After achieving McLaren’s 200th Grand Prix victory in Hungary, Brown highlighted that the team’s culture and mutual respect between drivers are key to their on-track successes. "It’s important that relationship continues to grow because it’s not just about this year; it bleeds into next year," he concluded, underscoring the long-term vision for the team.
