Brown denies theory over McLaren F1 'mentality'

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has denied the team has changed its mentality in light of its new position in the F1 pecking order.

The Woking-based squad prevailed in the constructors' title fight last year and entered the new season as favourites to enjoy further glory.

It won the opening two rounds of the year with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with McLaren's car evidently being the most competitive in the field.

McLaren has now been pitched as the benchmark for the rest of the grid - but it hasn't changed anything within the team, according to Brown. 

When asked if there has been a mentality shift over the winter break at McLaren, Brown told media including RacingNews365: “I don't think so. 

“You can definitely tell our drivers have great confidence coming off of a very strong season.

“They're in great shape, they're in a great frame of mind, as is the team.”

The F1 teams were thrown into a difficult situation to start the new year as the season-opening Australia contained challenging conditions that changed throughout the race.

Brown hailed how the wider McLaren team managed the race to get their title charge off to a strong start. 

“I would say, the pit wall was outstanding given all the pressures, whether it was the drivers, or the weather, or the rain, or the tyres, or the restart,” he said.

“I was very happy to see how they reacted to the constant pressure of a grand prix and the changing conditions.”