“There are three other teams” - McLaren boss rules out ‘favorites’ tag ahead of 2025 F1 season

McLaren won its first constructors championship in 2024 after a wait of 26 long years. However, heading into the 2025 season, CEO Zak Brown rejected the tag of 'favorites,' citing competition from multiple rival teams.

The Papaya team stunned Red Bull Racing last year with its meteoric growth. In mid-season, the team hit a breakthrough in development and transformed the MCL38 into the fastest challenger on the grid, beating the pace of the RB20 by a significant margin.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri climbed to the front row of the grid, fighting for wins and podiums. The former even challenged Max Verstappen in the championship race but fell short by 63 points. Nonetheless, the Woking-based team clinched the constructors championship to snap out of the long withstanding trophy-less streak.

Meanwhile, despite the success achieved in 2024, McLaren is keeping its feet grounded. In an interview with Racingnews365, team CEO Zak Brown said:

"I think favorites would be arrogant. I can see no reason why we can't be one of the favorites, as you've got four teams winning races on a regular basis, so I don't see how you can put anybody as a favorite going into 2025. I know there are three other teams, and maybe a surprise, but at least three other teams that will have the same mindset and we have as good a chance as anyone."

McLaren has not won a drivers championship since Lewis Hamilton clinched the trophy in 2008. Norris and Piastri exhibited promising potential to win consistently last year. If not for strategy mishaps, the team could have secured more podiums and victories.

Meanwhile, this year, the Payapa team will not take things for granted. Red Bull and Ferrari are expected to pose tough competition with their new drivers lineup. Hence, as Brown said, the Woking-based squad cannot be arrogant about their success.

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McLaren sets ambitious championship plans for the next two years

Team McLaren at F1 Grand Prix Of Abu Dhabi (Image Source: Getty)

McLaren, who won their first constructors championship after 26 years in 2024, are heading into a crucial season this year. Neil Houldey, the team's technical director, opened up on the Papaya team's ambitious project, while talking to Motorsport.com. He said:

"I think there's an opportunity to win a championship in 2025 and in 2026, and of course, we want to do both. At the moment, the focus for 2025 is everything. And actually that's not just about the car; that's about the whole team. We know that the car can go faster. We can develop the car further."

The Woking-based squad has emerged as a championship contender after sheer hard work in the development program. For 2026, the team will use power units supplied by Mercedes as they extended the agreement until 2030.