Zak Brown Exclusive: How McLaren Shocked F1 & Norris v Verstappen Rivalry

After the incredible 2024 Championship Race, Jake and Damian chats with the CEO of McLaren Racing, Zak Brown, to unpack the incredible moments and emotions surrounding the final race. Zak opens up about the behind-the-scenes moments leading up to the race day and how he fostered a winning mentality within his team.

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He also talks about working with Andrea Stella, the valuable lessons learned along the way, and the emotional intelligence required to support drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri through the intense highs and challenging lows of Formula 1. From leading a 1,000-strong team to making split-second, high-stakes decisions, he discusses the mindset shifts and strategies that keep McLaren at the forefront of competition.

This episode offers an inspiring deep dive into leadership, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in one of the world’s most demanding sports.

0:00 Introduction
0:15 The Final Race
5:22 Building Belief
9:14 Andrea Stella
13:32 Keeping Lando & Oscar Happy
22:30 Helping Lando Reset
27:50 Fighting Ferrari
29:15 Racing Dirty
31:40 Gil de Ferran & Mansour Ojjeh
33:01 Defending The Title

#HighPerformance #ZakBrown #LandoNorris #Formula1 #McLaren #OscarPiastri

[mini_steve]

I think people need to know (I'm sure the die hard fans already do) that in only his 2nd season of F1, Oscar has joined the top 3 best in the sport as having finished every racing lap of a season.
That's a massive achievement, seeing as this year was the longest ever.

[micaelyesitsme]

Zak, Stella, and the entire McLaren team have done an amazing job and totally deserve the WCC. However, it’s really disappointing to hear him say they lost the WDC because of 'dirty driving.' That’s unfair. Why not admit that McLaren simply wasn’t ready to fight for the drivers' title this year? You have the best car overall this season but made too many strategic and driver errors. That’s it!

[OfishcialDiscusCanada-cudf]

It’s funny that Zak and McLaren are so critical of Max for being aggressive and dirty yet they hold Senna so close to them, the man that literally crashed purposely into Prost and said he was going to do it. Max is aggressive and relentless because that is what a F1 champion needs to be, Lando and McLaren will continue to learn that lesson until he heeds it.

[RustyQCumber]

Rather disappointing to hear Brown take the cheap way out and imply the WDC was lost to another party's "dirty driving". It's easy to laud the team you beat (Ferrari) for their sportsmanship, but much harder to look in the mirror and admit you threw away the Norris WDC due to a combination of strategic and driver errors. McLaren as an organisation weren't ready to fight for a drivers' title this year. Candid self-reflection would have made Brown look a lot better here.

[Rahuri]

Zak really is incapable of self reflection huh

[OptionalNoneYT]

What rivalry dude?? Cope Brown. They threw away OVER 80 POINTS!

[radianceTLC]

We need to compliment Oscar for finishing ALL races. For a young gun, this is exceptional and his contribution. Yes, he has room to improve but I think Lando needs too be more aggressive to cut Max if he wants to win WDC!

[Felgenfahrt]

Love that Zak finally gave us an explanation for why Lando pushed Max onto the grass at the Spanish GP!

[mitchdaytonam]

It’s understandable why Zak has to take this approach, he’s seen Max win 5 races this year without the fastest car; it makes sense that he tries to throw him under the bus.

[raymondgrieger]

I don’t like Zak, never have but my personal distain aside, the McLaren team did an amazing job. The men and woman behind the scenes are amazing!

[Robert]

Zak talking about dirty while having the flexi wings, the cutout cooling mod on the brake housing ducts and the mini drs is And who knows what else they did.

[radeoradeo]

Zak is one of the main reasons I can’t stand current McLaren at all. McLaren was the team I rooted for most of my life, leaded by Ron and Martin.
It was THE racing team.
Now it’s a team which leader can’t face the truth that it was HIS team which f’ uped Lando’s chances by playing “good guys” and letting Oscar grab precious championship points. And now this guy is saying they loose cause of dirty driving) absolutely pathetic. Ron would never be this low and delusional.

[MiguelHeijnen]

"your guy Senna" was sometimes borderline... And I loved it. You call it dirty now? Or you didn't watch your guy Senna? Don't castrate this sport. Max is box office!

[ocularpatdownxl]

And just like that I’m hoping McLaren shits the bed next year. Sorry Oscar

[CatPicture]

Zak and Stella dragging their feet, not prioritising Lando’s WDC, letting it slip away, just because they are afraid of upsetting Piastri and Webber was so frustrating to watch!

McLaren isn’t dominating the grid anymore, you have to prioritise a driver for the WDC, you already lost the WDC in 2007 and 2024, now you want to make the same mistake in 2025?!?! Maddening!

Stella, Webber and Piastri put Lando in the worst position possible, Stella kept “considering starting to help Lando”, without actually helping him, but it was enough to imply favouritism, and the media ran with this false narrative to pile on abuse.

In reality, McLaren have used papaya rules to favour Oscar a whole lot more, 2 gifted wins and counting, but the media doesn’t use facts and stats anymore, just whatever fake storyline that generates more hate and engagement online.

Utterly disgusting.

[nkosinathisifisosibisi]

Stella job by Zak Brown's team👏👏👏

[GEO__]

hey Zak Browneye isnt Senna "your guy"? well wasnt he a "dirty driver"?

[andyverso]

Zak brown on a £26mn annual salary but still obviously paying economy+ WiFi speed package.

[POVRR]

Mclaren failed to make a driver champion, next year isn't clear yet, maybe 2024 is their only chance and bottled it. If Lewis can beat Charles then there are 5 drivers contending for a championship in 2025. Mclaren team should have a clear strategy this time.

[andrewharrison]

how did they win the championship? Red Bull keeping Sergio Perez is the answer - Both F3errari & Mclaren had 2 drivers within 50 points of each other, max was 285 points ahead of sergio, who averaged 7th place