McLaren drivers can fight for title and remain friends…

Zak Brown has every right to feel smug at the moment. The McLaren CEO not only has a car dominating the Formula 1 season but also two settled drivers committed to the project for the long term.

As rivals Mercedes and Red Bull are pulled into public conversations regarding the futures of George Russell and Max Verstappen respectively, Brown can watch on knowing Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris both have contracts with McLaren – he has even backed the pair to remain friends despite a head-to-head battle for on-track superiority and, in all likelihood, the 2025 drivers’ title.

Brown saw Norris crash into the back of Piastri in the latter stages of the Canadian Grand Prix, where McLaren missed out on a podium for the first time this year, while the duo were allowed to fight for the lead during a dominant display at the Austrian Grand Prix – although Piastri was warned against making a late dive after locking up and nearly collecting his team-mate at Turn 4.

McLaren famously introduced its ‘Papaya Rules’ last season as Norris, winner at the Red Bull Ring, was unsuccessfully battling Max Verstappen for the title – with the self-imposed regulations still allowing its drivers to race one another unless it was detrimental to the team.

Asked whether its current 207-point lead in the constructors’ championship affects the rules of engagement for McLaren’s drivers, Brown replied: “No. It's the same rules. Race each other hard, race each other clean, and try and get as many points on the board for the team. Then it's up to them to decide who is in front of who.

“It [the fight in Austria] was very exciting. It was a great race. They raced each other very hard, very clean. I think that's what everyone was looking forward to seeing – finally, that epic battle.

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren (Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images)

“Of course, anytime you have your two cars near each other, it's a bit of a nail-biter, but I thought they did a great job, it was a great race and it was good to see.”

Title fights down the years have seen friends and team-mates become bitter rivals, but Norris and Piastri are different – according to Brown.

“I think the relationship they have is fantastic. We've put a lot of time and effort into building our team and having a chemistry within the team, and that starts with the drivers,” he said.

“I think you saw how they handled Canada, how they've conducted themselves, and I see no reason why they can't have a big battle all the way to the end. May the best man win, and I'm sure they'll shake hands and congratulate each other.

“Obviously, both of them want to win, but I see no reason why, knowing the personalities and the way they race, they can't remain very good team-mates.”

Brown was speaking during a press conference at the British Grand Prix on Friday, where Norris set the pace in Free Practice 2, and while sat alongside Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

While Horner batted away several questions about the future of Verstappen and the possibility of replacing the Dutchman with Russell, Brown watched on from the same shared sofa – and when asked about his own line-up, added: “Our drivers aren't going anywhere. They're very happy, we're very happy, so there's no need to look at any other drivers on the grid.”

Maybe a little enviously, when asked if he had a ‘Plan B’ should Verstappen depart, Horner quipped: “Oscar Piastri”. It brought a smile to Brown’s face, and at the moment, the American can certainly afford a broad grin.