Zak Brown addresses McLaren driver bias questions in live interview

McLaren CEO Zak Brown faced direct questioning about perceived favoritism towards Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri during a recent live interview, responding with diplomatic team-first messaging that emphasized equal treatment for both drivers.

Why it matters:

The persistent narrative about McLaren prioritizing Norris has followed the team throughout their championship-winning 2025 season, creating potential tension within the garage and raising questions about resource allocation in a sport where marginal gains determine championships. Brown's public handling of these questions reflects McLaren's ongoing balancing act between their established star and promising talent.

The details:

• During a talkSPORT interview, Brown was asked about Piastri's mid-season performance dip coinciding with Norris's surge to the championship
• The McLaren CEO appeared momentarily surprised by the directness of the question before offering a measured response
• Brown emphasized that McLaren develops cars for both drivers equally, focusing on "incremental gains" measured in milliseconds
• The 2025 season saw Norris win the Drivers' Championship while Piastri's campaign split into two distinct halves: seven wins in the first 15 races followed by only three podiums in the final nine events
• Team executives have consistently denied preferential treatment narratives throughout the championship season

Between the lines:

The timing of these questions is particularly significant coming off McLaren's championship success. While Brown publicly expresses confidence in Piastri's future championship potential, the Australian driver's second-half performance decline naturally fuels speculation about team dynamics and development focus. In Formula 1, where psychological factors significantly impact performance, persistent bias narratives—whether true or not—can affect driver confidence and team harmony.

What's next:

McLaren enters the offseason with the delicate task of maintaining momentum while ensuring both drivers feel equally supported. Brown's prediction that Piastri will eventually win a championship with the team suggests long-term commitment, but the Australian will need to demonstrate consistency throughout an entire season to silence the bias discussions permanently. The team's 2026 car development and early-season performance will provide the next data points in this ongoing narrative.