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Dear McLaren fans, 

This is a momentous year for Formula 1. This season marks 75 years of F1 racing, and over the coming months, the whole of McLaren Racing will continue to celebrate the remarkable history and heritage of this incredible sport. We’ve already kicked off the year in style with F1®75 Live at The O2, where we unveiled the MCL39 - alongside Lando and Oscar - to 16,000 fans and a worldwide audience of millions. And there’s even more to look forward to with the highly anticipated Brad Pitt F1 movie premiering this summer, bringing the thrill of Formula 1 to new fans across the globe.

McLaren Racing has proudly been part of F1’s storied history since 1966. Since then, we’ve celebrated 12 Drivers’ Championships and, just last year, secured our ninth Constructors’ title. It’s a testament to the dedication and spirit of everyone at McLaren and further cements our place as one of the most successful teams in Formula 1.

I’m incredibly proud to lead this great racing team and to work alongside exceptional individuals, led by Andrea Stella. At the track and at our two Woking facilities, the McLaren Technology Centre and McLaren Racing Composites, there is a brilliant group of men and women who work tirelessly to push this team forever forward. From our owners and board members to our partners and committed fans, they all embody the spirit of what Bruce McLaren started, and I want to take this opportunity to thank everybody for helping us achieve our first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years.

Right now, I think Formula 1 is the most competitive it has ever been: last year, we saw seven different drivers and four teams celebrating victories. Between Lando and Oscar in 2024, in Grands Prix and Sprints, we achieved 28 podiums, eight wins, 11 Pole positions and 666 points to earn us that prestigious number one garage in the pit lane. And after just two races in 2025, it’s clear the competition remains just as fierce as ever.

The Australian Grand Prix was a tense affair, but I was delighted to see Lando get off to the perfect start - with Pole, Fastest Lap and victory - to lead the Drivers’ Championship for the first time in his career. And it was great to see Oscar get his first Pole position and win the Chinese Grand Prix to give McLaren our 50th 1-2 in Formula 1. One thing is clear: after winning the Constructors’ title last season, we are laser-focused on retaining that crown but also intent on striving for the Drivers’ Championship as well.

In Melbourne, we were thrilled to announce that Oscar has committed to McLaren for the long term. It was a natural decision for us. Stability is a key ingredient for success in any sport, and my role is to ensure McLaren remains stable, visible, and strong for years to come.

 

This team 💪 pic.twitter.com/lpT41xvMCF

— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) March 17, 2025

Oscar’s rapid development and maturity over his two seasons in Formula 1 has been outstanding. His performance last year was pivotal in securing our Championship, demonstrating the value of a strong driver pairing. His synergy with Lando is evident both on and off the track, and they’re pushing each other to new heights. The strength of their partnership puts McLaren in a fantastic position for the challenges ahead.

We had announced already last year that Lando would be staying at the team for the long term. I’m extremely excited by the prospects of our two stars. With Lando and Oscar forming what I believe is the most exciting driver pairing in Formula 1, we have every confidence in our ability to challenge at the front for years to come.

I also want to pay tribute to our partners, and begin by thanking the Crown Prince of Bahrain, who welcomed us to Manama to celebrate our World Championship success on the night of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The city was a sea of papaya to mark our historic achievement. Mumtalakat, and all our shareholders, have been tremendous supporters, even during the tough times, and I want to thank them, alongside our Primary Partners such as OKX, Mastercard, and Google, for their continued support.

We’re also excited to welcome Allwyn to the McLaren family this year, along with partnership extensions with the likes of Alteryx, Medallia, and Salesforce, among others. Our partnerships are the foundation of our success, providing the resources and innovation needed to compete at the highest level.

Looking ahead, we know 2026 will bring a major shake-up with new rules, both in power unit philosophy and in the chassis regulations. These changes present both challenges and opportunities, and we’re already deep into our preparations. Our focus is on maintaining our competitive edge and being ready to seize every opportunity that comes our way.

There’s no doubt that it will be a big challenge to maintain progress throughout this year while also balancing resources on car design and build for 2026. I’m indebted to the engineering prowess of the team, with Chief Designer Rob Marshall, Chief Operating Officer Piers Thynne, Technical Director of Aerodynamics Peter Prodromou, Technical Director of Engineering Neil Houldey, and Technical Director of Performance Mark Temple leading and working alongside our many talented individuals, who provide strength in depth and an overriding passion for success. They too, are committed to us for the long term. 

Of course, we’re not standing still. From last year into this, our entire team are working around the clock, constantly innovating, and pushing each other to achieve even more. The atmosphere at the McLaren Technology Centre is vibrant, and the dedication of every member of our team is inspiring. We are continuing to invest in recruitment and have already confirmed that Will Courtenay will be joining our Formula 1 team as Sporting Director.

As we look ahead to 2026, it’s worth reflecting on the fact the first few months of this year have already brought some other major announcements outside of our team. I’m particularly pleased that all Formula 1 outfits have committed to the 2026 Concorde Commercial Agreement, securing the sport’s financial stability for the next few years. Additionally, the confirmation that an 11th team will join the grid next season is exciting news. General Motors entering Formula 1 with the Cadillac brand is a huge development, especially from a US market perspective. It’s a clear sign of the sport’s immense global appeal and robust growth.

Alongside the unanimous support for the Concorde Agreement, I’m delighted with the news that Stefano Domenicali has extended his tenure as Chairman and CEO of Formula 1 for another five years. Since stepping into the role in early 2021, Stefano has been instrumental in steering the sport to unprecedented success. I’m also thrilled to see Liberty Media’s new President and CEO, Derek Chang, take the reins. Having known Derek for over 20 years - including during his time at DirecTV - I know he brings tremendous vision and experience. Alongside Chase Carey, the leadership of Derek and Stefano will be key in driving the sport to even greater heights in this historic year.

Personally, I don’t think F1 has yet hit its peak. Recent data reveals the Formula 1 fanbase now extends to 826.5 million worldwide, adding nearly 90 million new fans last year. Global TV viewership is up, and in the US, in particular, F1 remains one of the fastest-growing markets, expanding by 10.5% to 52 million fans between 2023 and 2024. The season-opening Australian Grand Prix also saw a record attendance of 465,498 spectators - 13,000 more than last year.

I know that all of those fans were there to support Oscar! It was amazing to see so many papaya-coloured T-shirts, caps and flags around the Albert Park circuit. But it’s not just in Australia, it’s the same wherever we race, from Shanghai to Silverstone, Miami to Mexico City. McLaren fans, your unwavering support, passion, and dedication are what make this sport so special. Whether you’re cheering trackside, watching from home, or engaging with us online, you’re an essential part of the McLaren family. We race for you, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Here’s to another incredible season.

Never stop racing,

Zak