McLaren’s position as a frontrunner in F1 is fragile, with Zak Brown cautioning that a single upgrade from rivals could flip the standings.
Things can change fast, especially in the world of Formula 1. McLaren F1 may be leading the charge, but Zak Brown, the team’s CEO, believes their competitors are closing in rapidly. With the ongoing competition, he’s hopeful his team can maintain an edge, but he acknowledges the close gaps in recent races, like the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where it became clear that the fight is far from over.
“I think we saw four teams within five seconds of each other in a full-throttle race,” Brown shared with Channel 4. “And, notably, three of those teams were within ten seconds. No safety car helped to bunch up the pack.”
For Brown, the gap McLaren has is razor-thin, and he believes that one significant upgrade from a competitor could quickly shift the balance. “Everyone is just one major development away from challenging for the lead,” he said. “Look at what we did in Miami last year.”
Reflecting on the rapid changes in the sport, Brown noted, “At the same time last year, Red Bull’s lead was probably even bigger, and yet they finished third in the championship. We’re fully aware of how quickly things can shift in this sport.”
In short, McLaren’s position at the front may not be secure, but their awareness of the ever-changing dynamics of Formula 1 keeps them on alert.
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Zak Brown Warns McLaren: One Evolution Could Change It All Zak Brown Warns McLaren: One Evolution Could Change It All