McLaren's Brown Predicts Piastri Will Become F1 World Champion

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has boldly predicted Oscar Piastri will become Formula 1 world champion with the team, even as the Australian finished third in the 2025 drivers' standings behind championship-winning teammate Lando Norris. Brown emphasized his confidence in Piastri's championship potential during a post-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix interview with GPBlog, calling the pairing of two elite drivers a strategic triumph for the Woking-based squad.

Why it matters:

McLaren's ability to retain and develop two championship-caliber drivers represents a rare organizational achievement in modern F1. With constructors' championships increasingly determined by having two consistently high-performing cars, Brown's prediction underscores McLaren's long-term vision beyond Norris' 2025 title win. This dual-driver strength positions McLaren uniquely against rivals struggling with intra-team dynamics.

The Details:

• Brown stated unequivocally: "Oscar is going to be a world champion. I'm convinced he's going to be a world champion in a McLaren," framing Piastri's signing as a calculated risk that's already paying dividends
• Both drivers secured seven race victories apiece during the 2025 season, with Norris claiming the drivers' crown by a narrow 13-point margin over Red Bull's Max Verstappen
• The CEO highlighted McLaren's unusual harmony between teammates: "They've never had an odd exchange between them. They've both been a little grumpy with Andrea and me from time to time, but I think that's good"
• Brown acknowledged the gamble in signing both drivers early in their careers: "While we got him [Piastri] a little later in his career, we still took a risk on both our drivers"
• This marks McLaren's first season with two drivers finishing in the top three since 1998, when Mika Häkkinen won the title with David Coulthard third

What's next:

McLaren aims to replicate its 2025 success with both drivers entering their prime years. Piastri's contract extension through 2027 gives him three full seasons to challenge for the title alongside Norris, whose current deal runs through 2026. The team's technical leadership will face growing pressure to maintain competitive parity between cars as both drivers push for championship contention.

Brown's prediction carries significant weight given McLaren's recent trajectory. After enduring seven consecutive seasons without a race win (2018-2024), the team's resurgence has been built on exceptional driver management. The Australian's third-place finish in 2025—despite joining F1 under controversial circumstances following his Alpine departure—validates Brown's assessment of his potential.

The CEO's comments also subtly address ongoing speculation about McLaren's driver pairing stability. With Red Bull and Ferrari facing potential lineup changes, McLaren's settled garage provides strategic continuity. Brown noted how rare it is for a top team to field two "number-one drivers" who "genuinely enjoy racing each other," suggesting this harmony could become a competitive differentiator.

As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will focus on whether Piastri can close the 13-point gap to Norris. Historical precedent offers encouragement—Norris himself improved from third to first in consecutive seasons. With McLaren's upgraded MCL40 expected to address 2025's occasional straight-line speed deficiencies, the stage appears set for an intensified intra-team battle that could accelerate Piastri's championship journey.