McLaren Racing heads into the Singapore Grand Prix as the unexpected powerhouse threatening to dethrone Red Bull and disrupt Max Verstappen’s dominance. With Red Bull’s iron grip on the drivers and constructors’ championships since 2021, McLaren’s resurgence has ignited a thrilling new chapter in the F1 narrative.
For the first time since 2014, McLaren leads the Constructors’ Championship, thanks to Oscar Piastri’s stunning win in Azerbaijan and Lando Norris’s solid fourth-place finish. The team, which last claimed the constructors’ title in 1998, now holds a 20-point advantage over Red Bull, ending Red Bull’s lengthy dominance.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown, speaking from the IndyCar finale in Nashville, exuded confidence. “I think we’ve got as good a shot as anyone,” Brown declared boldly, as McLaren looks to solidify its status as the sport’s top contender. The team made waves by prioritizing Norris for the drivers’ title chase, although it was Piastri who seized victory in Baku.
Despite being cast as the team’s second fiddle, Piastri has been a team player. “Oscar understands his role could change,” Brown noted, hinting at the fluidity of McLaren’s internal dynamics. “What goes around comes around, and it could very much swing his way.”
With two wins in the last three races, McLaren’s momentum is palpable, while Verstappen’s winless streak since June has raised questions about Red Bull’s vulnerability. Still, Brown acknowledges the uphill battle for Norris, who trails Verstappen by 59 points. “Lando needs to double the points he got in Baku every race to catch Max. It’s a tall order, but we’re going to try,” Brown admitted.
While McLaren is laser-focused on the lucrative constructors’ title, Brown sees Ferrari as an even greater threat than Red Bull heading into Singapore, praising Ferrari’s speed and warning of their potential to disrupt McLaren’s charge.
McLaren’s resurgence under team principal Andrea Stella has been nothing short of remarkable. “Andrea has unlocked the team’s potential,” Brown said, applauding the turnaround from a team that was floundering just a year ago. The journey hasn’t been smooth—Brown’s bold moves, like signing Piastri and attempting to secure IndyCar champion Alex Palou, have sparked chaos and controversy.
Palou’s dramatic U-turn from McLaren to stay with Chip Ganassi Racing led to a $30 million breach of contract suit that is set to hit mediation later this year. Meanwhile, McLaren’s IndyCar operations have been a rollercoaster, with drivers rotating through seats and inconsistent results hurting the team’s competitive edge.
Despite the upheaval, Brown’s vision for McLaren remains steadfast. “I want the IndyCar team to be where the F1 team is now,” he said, aiming to elevate McLaren’s presence across motorsport. As McLaren enters Singapore with renewed vigor, it’s clear that Brown’s relentless ambition is steering the iconic brand back to the top.
With seven races left, the question lingers: Can McLaren maintain its lead and deliver the knockout blow to Red Bull’s F1 empire? The battle for supremacy is far from over, and McLaren is all in, ready to challenge the status quo and reclaim its place among the sport’s elite.
