McLaren drivers can fight for title and remain fri...

Zak Brown has each proper to really feel smug in the mean time. The McLaren CEO not solely has a automobile dominating the Method 1 season but additionally two settled drivers dedicated to the undertaking for the long run.

As rivals Mercedes and Crimson Bull are pulled into public conversations concerning the futures of George Russell and Max Verstappen respectively, Brown can watch on realizing Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris each have contracts with McLaren – he has even backed the pair to stay buddies regardless of a head-to-head battle for on-track superiority and, in all chance, the 2025 drivers’ title.

Brown noticed Norris crash into the again of Piastri within the latter levels of the Canadian Grand Prix, the place McLaren missed out on a podium for the primary time this yr, whereas the duo have been allowed to combat for the lead throughout a dominant show on the Austrian Grand Prix – though Piastri was warned in opposition to making a late dive after locking up and almost amassing his team-mate at Flip 4.

McLaren famously launched its ‘Papaya Guidelines’ final season as Norris, winner on the Crimson Bull Ring, was unsuccessfully battling Max Verstappen for the title – with the self-imposed laws nonetheless permitting its drivers to race each other except it was detrimental to the group.

Requested whether or not its present 207-point lead within the constructors’ championship impacts the principles of engagement for McLaren’s drivers, Brown replied: “No. It is the identical guidelines. Race one another laborious, race one another clear, and try to get as many factors on the board for the group. Then it is as much as them to resolve who’s in entrance of who.

“It [the fight in Austria] was very thrilling. It was a fantastic race. They raced one another very laborious, very clear. I believe that is what everybody was wanting ahead to seeing – lastly, that epic battle.

“In fact, anytime you’ve gotten your two automobiles close to one another, it’s kind of of a nail-biter, however I assumed they did a fantastic job, it was a fantastic race and it was good to see.”

Title fights down the years have seen buddies and team-mates turn out to be bitter rivals, however Norris and Piastri are completely different – in response to Brown.

“I believe the connection they’ve is unbelievable. We have put lots of effort and time into constructing our group and having a chemistry throughout the group, and that begins with the drivers,” he stated.

“I believe you noticed how they dealt with Canada, how they’ve performed themselves, and I see no motive why they cannot have a giant battle all the way in which to the tip. Might the perfect man win, and I am certain they’re going to shake arms and congratulate one another.

“Clearly, each of them wish to win, however I see no motive why, realizing the personalities and the way in which they race, they cannot stay superb team-mates.”

Brown was talking throughout a press convention on the British Grand Prix on Friday, the place Norris set the pace in Free Practice 2, and whereas sat alongside Crimson Bull group principal Christian Horner.

Whereas Horner batted away a number of questions on the way forward for Verstappen and the potential of changing the Dutchman with Russell, Brown watched on from the identical shared couch – and when requested about his personal line-up, added: “Our drivers aren’t going wherever. They’re very comfortable, we’re very comfortable, so there isn’t any want to take a look at every other drivers on the grid.”

Perhaps slightly enviously, when requested if he had a ‘Plan B’ ought to Verstappen depart, Horner quipped: “Oscar Piastri”. It introduced a smile to Brown’s face, and in the mean time, the American can definitely afford a broad grin.