Brown warns McLaren with Verstappen F1 ‘drought’ example

McLaren team principal Zak Brown has issued a word of caution to his squad following its strong start to the season in Australia.

Lando Norris secured the race victory around the Albert Park Circuit in a chaotic race that saw treacherous conditions hit the track.

Multiple drivers spun throughout the race - including the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri who was once challenging Norris for the lead.

Norris held on to the victory despite coming under pressure late on from Verstappen to get McLaren's campaign off to a strong start.

Having entered the season as favourites, McLaren showed strong form throughout the weekend to seal pole position and the race victory - but with 23 races to go, Brown has asserted the team will not get overconfident as he used Red Bull's dip in form during 2024 as a warning.

“It's one track, one race. Let's see what happens in China [next weekend],” Brown told Sky F1.

“We're starting the season very strong, but we saw what last year, Max won the first six or seven races [sic] and then had a bit of a drought. 

“So I think we just have to keep doing what we're doing.”

McLaren is seeking to continue its strong in-season development this year which has made it a significant threat across the last two seasons.

Despite its strong pace on display in Melbourne taking it to the lead of both championship standings, Brown asserted McLaren will not take its foot off the development pedal.

“We definitely have a very quick race car,” he said. “But we see how quickly things change in the sport, so we need to make sure we keep developing. 

“That's what everyone back at McLaren has done an awesome job of doing the last few years.”