Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, expressed satisfaction that his team is steering clear of the current frenzy surrounding ‘silly season’ speculations within Formula 1. Despite Red Bull’s Dr. Helmut Marko occasionally hinting at interest in McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, both are securely contracted with McLaren, allowing the team to focus on its ambitions rather than media speculation.
While teams like Mercedes, Red Bull, and Aston Martin, along with numerous drivers, find themselves engulfed in rampant rumors, McLaren is purposefully keeping a low profile. This approach is part of their broader strategy to close the gap on Red Bull’s dominance in the sport.
Australian driver Oscar Piastri shared his optimism with Xinhua news agency, stating, “The start of the season has been much better than the start of last year. I think we’re optimistic that we can show the same development as last year.” He also added that he believes victories are within reach before the major rule changes expected in 2026, noting, “Red Bull are obviously a step ahead of everything, but I think we’re getting closer.”
Zak Brown attributed McLaren’s steady progress to its avoidance of the disruptive ‘silly season.’ He emphasized the team’s focus on creating “stability, visibility, and sustainability across all of our racing teams.”
Despite the departure of David Sanchez to Ferrari after only three months, Brown remains confident in the team’s current standing. “We are in a great position. We know who our drivers are, we know our team boss, we have great sponsors. Everything is going to plan,” he stated confidently.
Brown also reflected on the current state of the F1 teams, suggesting that while others are preoccupied with uncertainties about drivers and the upcoming changes, McLaren is well-positioned for future success. “We just want to focus on our work and continue what we are doing right now,” he concluded, highlighting the team’s focus on its ongoing projects and strategic objectives.
GMM
