Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Zak Brown Says McLaren Is Better Prepared for 2026 After Costly 2025 Errors

Brown frames last season’s missteps as lessons that sharpened McLaren for the coming rules overhaul.

Overview

  • McLaren sealed the 2025 double, with Lando Norris winning the drivers’ title by two points over Max Verstappen as Oscar Piastri finished third.
  • Brown cited specific setbacks, including the Las Vegas double disqualification, a Qatar safety car strategy call, slow pitstops, and a Zandvoort retirement, as issues the team addressed quickly.
  • McLaren kept its equal-opportunity ‘papaya rules’ in place for Norris and Piastri, a policy that drew scrutiny as Piastri felt disadvantaged by certain race decisions.
  • Brown praised Piastri’s progress, calling his season unbelievable and saying the young driver’s stature in the sport will continue to grow.
  • Looking to 2026, Brown cautioned that the all-new technical regulations reset the competitive order and said no one can predict how the field will shape up.