McLaren: "This season's title battle could be similar to 2007"

Brown, who defends the team's philosophy of giving both drivers an equal chance to challenge for the championship, said that while this approach carries high risks, McLaren will not deviate from this path. The Woking-based team is in a strong position in the drivers' championship race heading into the final five races of the 2025 season. Meanwhile, the dynamics within the team are as much a focus as the car's performance.

Norris and Piastri are notable for their pace on track, as well as their occasional mistakes. Max Verstappen , who has been on the rise since the summer break, has become a major threat, closing the gap to the leader by more than 60 points.

Zak Brown didn't reject the 2007 comparisons in his statement in Austin: "Yes, we're aware of that risk. We had two drivers in 2007, and they finished the season tied on points. Some won the championship by just one point. That could happen again. But that's how McLaren wants to race. Our preference is to have two drivers who can win the championship."

"If you try to predetermine the winner and the runner-up, you're risking the constructors' championship. This is a complex sport. We want to compete. We want to give both drivers a chance to win the championship. It might be risky, but we're willing to take the risk."

"If history is going to repeat itself, let it. We will not give up our philosophy."