What Zak Brown said about Lando Norris’ title chances in F1 paddock conversation

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McLaren has improved hugely over the past year and emerged as Red Bull’s nearest rivals and a genuine threat for the Constructors’ Championship.

The British team began last season as a backmarker, struggling to score points and not allowing Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to showcase their immense talent.

They improved midway through the year with an upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring and carried that strong form into this season.

They have had the pace to take more wins but lacked operational sharpness to score more points. Despite McLaren’s errors, they sit second in the Constructors’ Championship, just 42 points behind Red Bull.

There is also developing optimism that McLaren can win one or both of the titles available this season with 10 races to go.

Zak Brown is optimistic McLaren can win both championships in 2024

Red Bull has relied heavily on the reigning world champion, Max Verstappen, to score wins and podiums for the team as Mexican driver Sergio Perez continues to struggle.

As Red Bull fights one-handed in most races, McLaren team boss Zak Brown is positive that his team can usurp the reigning champions.

Speaking on the Weekend Warm-Up show on F1’s YouTube channel, Lawrence Barretto said the American is confident of his team winning the drivers’ title.

He said: “There is a belief that once they iron some things out and they get used to fighting at the front, shake off that rust, that they can fight for the constructor’s title. They expect to win it. I was talking to Zak, and I think Zak thinks they can still win the drivers as well.”

McLaren haven’t been a consistent frontrunner since 2012 when they were challenging for race wins with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

Barretto added that there is optimism deep-rooted within the team after their strong start to the year and scoring multiple wins.

“There’s a huge amount of confidence,” he said. “I was down at McLaren’s MTC in Woking at their base down there just before the summer break, and they were celebrating that one-two when Oscar got his first win in Hungary. I think there’s a genuine belief inside that team now that they’re catching and have caught Red Bull.”

McLaren need to capitalise on their strong driver line-up of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

Mclaren have a superb driver line-up with Norris and Piastri, two drivers that know how to win in Formula 1 and deliver at the highest level.

Both drivers are performing consistently, although they have made minor errors which need to be ironed out.

Piastri, in particular, is ice-cool and won the Hungarian Grand Prix with a broken rib. The Australian looks at home at the front of the field, scoring points as Red Bull continue to try and rebuild Perez’s confidence.

Some tracks still to come on the calendar, such as Qatar and Singapore, were excellent venues for McLaren last season, scoring podiums at both events.