McLaren singles out key Red Bull and Mercedes F1 title disadvantage

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown anticipates Red Bull and Mercedes fielding rookie drivers will pose a "challenge" for them in the 2025 F1 constructors' championship fight.

While the American feels the driver line-ups could play a key role in the outcome of the final standings, he has predicted it will be a closely contested affair at the front of the field.

Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli will race for the Red Bull and Mercedes teams, respectively. 

Lawson has only 11 grand prix starts under his belt while Antonelli has completed just two free practice sessions in F1 - and one of those ended in the wall after 10 minutes of running.

Brown highlighted the role inexperience could play when asked for his appraisal of how things are shaping up at the sharp end of the grid.

"Definitely anticipating Lewis [Hamilton] being a [drivers'] championship contender," Brown told media including RacingNews365. 

"I think we and Ferrari ended last year [with] nothing between us. I think that will continue. 

“Mercedes were very close, and they still won four or five races. So I put them in there.

"And, of course, Red Bull: super strong first half of the year, little bit less strong middle of the year, and then ended very strong. So, I don't think there's going to be anything between it with those four teams."

The Lawson and Antonelli factor

It was at that point the 53-year-old changed gear slightly to address Lawson and Antonelli.

Despite pointing out he expects both to win grands prix over the campaign ahead, Brown also believes the pair will experience "rookie weekends" across the year.

“Obviously Kimi being a rookie, Liam being, let's call it inexperienced as opposed to a rookie, I think that, from a constructors' point of view, it will probably present it a bit more of a challenge over 24 races,” he said.

“They'll inevitably have some rookie weekends, if you like.

“But I think they're both extremely quick drivers, and anticipate both of them winning races.”