McLaren's return to Formula 1 has set the stage for an intense championship clash in 2024, but CEO Zak Brown has his eyes on a different rival than most people would expect. Although Max Verstappen and Red Bull remain formidable opponents, Brown believes Scuderia Ferrari poses a more immediate threat to McLaren's championship aspirations.
McLaren's title ambitions
After more than a decade of waiting, McLaren is finally back in title contention, leading the Constructors' Championship with just three races remaining. Despite their strong position, Brown acknowledges the difficulty of securing both the Manufacturers' and Drivers' titles. Ferrari, just 36 points behind, represents a major obstacle.
“Of course I want to win at least one of the two titles,” Brown said. “But the Manufacturers’ title will also be difficult. Ferrari looks very strong.”
Why Ferrari surpasses Red Bull as a threat
Although Verstappen's dominance earlier in the season set the tone for Red Bull, Brown says Ferrari's recent pace is causing more headaches for McLaren.
“Ils [Ferrari] give me more headaches than Red Bull,” Brown admitted. “Nevertheless, they should not be underestimated. Red Bull is an incredibly strong team.”
Ferrari's consistent performances allowed them to close the gap, making the Constructors' Championship hotly contested. With McLaren focusing on the team title, Ferrari's comeback could jeopardize their hopes.
Verstappen's dominance at the start of the season
Despite McLaren's current advantage, Brown admits Verstappen's extraordinary start this season could still tip the scales in favor of the drivers' championship. The three-time world champion's seven victories from the opening ten races have created a gap that McLaren's Lando Norris is struggling to close.
“If we lose him [titre des pilotes]so it happened at the beginning and not at Silverstone or Monza,” explained Brown.
Although Norris has put in remarkable performances at iconic circuits like Silverstone and Monza, Brown remains realistic about the uphill battle against Verstappen's early momentum.
Norris' role in recent races
With the Drivers' Championship increasingly out of reach, McLaren is focusing its attention entirely on securing the Manufacturers' title. Norris, who has been instrumental in McLaren's comeback, may now have to prioritize team strategy over his personal ambitions in the final three races.
Whether Norris will embrace the role of team player remains to be seen, but his contribution will be crucial as McLaren battles Ferrari for glory.
The Last Duel
As the 2024 Formula 1 season heads towards its conclusion, McLaren finds itself at a decisive crossroads. Zak Brown's frank assessment of Ferrari as the biggest threat underlines the complexities of a championship fight. With Verstappen lying in wait and Ferrari closing in, McLaren must execute perfectly to regain its place at the top of the sport.
The next three races promise a thrilling finale, where every point will count. Will McLaren manage to maintain their lead, or will Ferrari and Red Bull spoil their long-awaited comeback? The answer lies in the intense battles ahead.
