‘FORGET IT’ – BROWN WOULD RATHER VERSTAPPEN WIN TITLE THAN PICK BETWEEN NORRIS AND PIASTRI

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL — As Formula 1 enters one of the tensest title finales in years, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has made a striking statement about the championship battle—one that has sent shockwaves through the paddock and stunned fans worldwide. With his two drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, locked in an increasingly fierce intra-team title fight, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen closing rapidly in the standings, Brown has openly admitted he would prefer Verstappen win the 2025 Drivers’ Championship rather than choose sides inside his own team.

Speaking ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where Norris and Piastri arrive separated by just a single point, Brown stressed that McLaren’s philosophy must remain firmly rooted in fairness, unity, and long-term stability. The American chief has repeatedly stated that the team will not compromise its principles for a short-term advantage—no matter how intense the championship pressure becomes.

“We’re not picking favourites,” Brown said. “If Max wins this year, we say, ‘We’re going to win next year, we’re going to be there, and we’re going to be there united as we are.’”

His comments reflect a growing reality inside the Woking camp: both drivers are performing at extraordinary levels, frequently matching or outperforming Verstappen, and the slightest shift in team dynamics could destroy the carefully maintained harmony McLaren has built over the past two seasons.

The Tightest Title Fight in Modern McLaren History

As the season reaches its final stretch—with four races and two Sprints remaining—Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen are embroiled in a battle separated by just 36 points. For McLaren, the stakes have not been this high since the days of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in 2007, a season Brown referenced directly when discussing the risks of destabilizing the team.

“We’re well aware of 2007,” Brown said. “Two drivers tied on points, one gets in front. We’ve got two drivers who want to win the World Championship. We’re playing offence, not defence.”

While that McLaren season is remembered for team tension, internal friction, and missed opportunities, Brown insists history will not repeat itself.

Unlike other teams that have historically deployed team orders late in the season—Ferrari in 2002 and 2010, Mercedes between 2014 and 2016, and even Red Bull in 2022—McLaren is committed to preserving internal equality. Both Norris and Piastri maintain equal access to strategy, equal opportunities on track, and the freedom to race, provided their battles remain clean.

The results speak for themselves: multiple 1–2 finishes, relentless pressure on Red Bull, and a season-long resurgence that has pushed McLaren into championship contention for the first time in over a decade.

Versus Verstappen: A Respectful Rivalry

Brown also addressed the possibility of Verstappen completing what would be one of the most remarkable comebacks in Formula 1 history. Once trailing by more than 80 points, the reigning champion has chipped away at the gap with characteristic consistency and pace, keeping himself firmly in the hunt.

Should Verstappen ultimately defeat both McLaren drivers to secure the title, Brown’s response would be honest and sportsmanlike.

“I shake his hand and say, ‘Job well done’,” he said.
“I want to make sure if we don’t win, he beats us. We don’t beat ourselves. That’s important.”

Brown’s sharpened emphasis on avoiding self-inflicted damage reflects McLaren’s internal strategy: no collisions, no politics, no destabilizing favoritism. McLaren wants to lose, if they must, only on merit—not through strategic missteps, tension, or team-driven sabotage.

Norris vs. Piastri: Friendly Fire or Formula 1’s Next Major Rivalry?

Both Norris and Piastri have shown championship-caliber form throughout the season. Norris, in his seventh F1 campaign, seeks his long-awaited first world title, while Piastri—still early in his career—has displayed remarkable racecraft and composure that many analysts compare to Verstappen in his early years.

Their rivalry is respectful but razor-sharp.

Behind the scenes, engineers, strategists, and Brown himself walk a delicate line: ensuring both drivers are treated equally while maximizing McLaren’s overall championship chances. But as the points tighten further, questions grow louder:

When does equality turn into risk?
When does fair racing turn into lost titles?
And how long can McLaren hold the line without stepping in?

For now, Brown is adamant. The team will not sacrifice its integrity or internal culture.

A Championship to Decide the Future

As F1 heads toward its dramatic finale, one truth stands out: McLaren faces a defining moment.

If Norris or Piastri wins, McLaren achieves a historic comeback story.
If Verstappen wins, Brown believes the team preserves unity—and builds the foundation for long-term dominance.

Either way, Brown refuses to fracture McLaren from within.

His message is clear, powerful, and unmistakable:
“We don’t beat ourselves.”

And with three drivers still in contention, the world watches to see whether McLaren’s bold philosophy will deliver glory—or heartbreak—by the final checkered flag.