McLaren issue F1 team order vow after unique 2025 approach

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has asserted that he will not seek to change its approach to managing drivers going forward.

Throughout the 2025 F1 season, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were given equal opportunities while fighting at the front of the field.

The duo traded blows - albeit peacefully - in the fight for the title through various form swings, with Norris eventually coming out on top in Abu Dhabi.

McLaren's relaxed approach did not come with controversies, particularly at the Italian Grand Prix where Piastri was ordered to hand position over to Norris after the latter endured a slow pit stop as the team mainted its desire to ensure fairness.

Brown has asserted McLaren will not shift its approach after ending its title drought.

“We’re definitely committed to giving both drivers equal opportunity to win the world championship,” Brown told media including RacingNews365.

“Even when you win, on Monday, you talk about what you could have done differently or better. So we’re constantly evolving as a racing team. 

“But the fundamentals of having two drivers that would give equal opportunity to win, that won’t change.

“Do we look back and have lots of learnings? I remember when we finished first and second in Spain, our debrief on Monday was about eight things that were close calls that we could have done better.

“I think that’s the nature of a Formula 1 team — to always evaluate and go, 'What could we have done differently, what could we have done better?' I think in sport you’re going to win some, you’re going to lose some.”

McLaren's championship pursuit came under threat late in the year when Max Verstappen and Red Bull enjoyed a strong uptick in performance.

Even then, the Woking-based squad's approach was unchanged. 

“Of course, when you’ve made mistakes, you wish you hadn’t, but that’s just not realistic,” Brown added.

“I’ve yet to see any person or team in any sport have the perfect season. So, we’re no different than that. But fundamentally, the way we go racing — that won’t change.”