Zak Brown, McLaren’s chief, believes the current title fight between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris is generating more excitement than any recent battle involving Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen leads the Drivers’ Championship, but Norris has been closing the gap in recent months.
McLaren has emerged as the fastest team on the grid, with Red Bull’s performance declining and their Constructors’ Championship title at risk. Oscar Piastri’s win in Baku propelled McLaren to the top of the standings, with Norris finishing in fourth.
Brown expressed that he finds this season more thrilling than the dramatic 2021 season where Verstappen narrowly defeated Hamilton on the last lap. He commented, “This season is the best I’ve seen in Formula One since I’ve been involved. While the 2021 season was incredibly exciting, it was a contest between two drivers. Now we have four strong teams competing each weekend.”
He noted that the level of competition is unprecedented, with the potential for any of the four teams and eight drivers to win races. The 2021 season is often considered the greatest in F1 history despite the controversies at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where race director Michael Masi made controversial decisions regarding lapped cars and the safety car.
It’s uncertain if this season will see similar controversies or if the FIA has learned from past mistakes. Currently, Norris is 59 points behind Verstappen, making for an exciting title race.
McLaren has recently decided to focus their support on Norris over Piastri in their quest to challenge Verstappen’s dominance. Team principal Andrea Stella stated, “We will prioritize Lando but aim to do so without compromising our principles. Team interests come first, and we value sportsmanship and fairness for both drivers.”