McLaren will take risks with its 2025 F1 car, warns its director
In Abu Dhabi, McLaren has just won its first constructors' title since 1998. While it might have been thought that the British team would rest on its laurels, that is not the case. Its boss, Zak Brown, revealed that the next car will be very different, with the objective of winning both titles.
A blazing return to the top. Last team after the initial races of 2023, the Woking team achieved an extraordinary comeback by winning the constructors’ title this season with a 12-point lead over Ferrari. This feat was made possible thanks to the work of its two drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Although this performance exceeded all expectations, McLaren does not plan to stop there.
Despite an exceptional season, the loss of the driver’s title to Max Verstappen remains a disappointment for Norris and the British camp. In 2025, McLaren aims to win all the titles and has already implemented an ambitious strategy to achieve this.
A bold approach for 2025
Next season, McLaren will adopt a radically different approach, aiming to be competitive from the first race. “I think to be at the front, you have to try to beat everyone, unlike our approach at the beginning of this season, where we just thought: ‘Let’s be as good as them.’ Now, the mentality is: ‘Let’s beat everyone,'” revealed Zak Brown to Autosport.
For Zak Brown, McLaren’s boss, this new mentality is essential. He insists that the team should not rely on its 2024 performances but continue to progress: “We are approaching next year with all our strengths. I think we have a different mindset now, in terms of confidence and the bravery the team is ready to demonstrate in the car’s development. The team is not saying, ‘Let’s just make a few tweaks here and there; the car is already good.’ We have incorporated ideas into the 2025 car that represent truly bold risks,” he told Autosport.
Fierce competition
Faced with formidable opponents like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull, McLaren will have to push their limits to retain their title. Zak Brown is aware of the stakes: “We must outshine them in development, driving, and strategy, rather than simply avoiding mistakes. This approach is not competitive enough. Commercially, we are now very solid, and we have two excellent drivers. That’s a huge strength. But the competition is incredibly strong. Mercedes is there, as well as Ferrari and Red Bull. As soon as we think they’re weakening a bit, they strike back hard. I think next year, you’ll have four teams capable of winning both championships.”
He also emphasizes the importance of maximizing every opportunity in the race while avoiding costly mistakes. This season has allowed McLaren to gain valuable insights. Zak Brown believes this experience will be crucial for 2025:
I think we will be much better prepared next year, because this year, we thought it was unimaginable to be where we are. We were not poorly prepared, but we didn’t have the mentality we have now. Next year, we will tackle the season knowing how difficult it will be, but with the will to win the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
He concludes by asserting that the goal is now clear: « This year, it was: ‘Let’s be in the top 3 and see if Lando can get his first win.’ We have evolved since. Now, we have two drivers capable of battling for the championship, so let’s go for both. »
With this renewed confidence, McLaren approaches 2025 with the ambition of breaking its long wait for a driver’s title, which has lasted since 2008. However, the competition will be fierce, and Woking will have to avoid any mistakes to hope to achieve its ambitious goals.
