McLaren expecting 'disruption' from midfielders in epic F1 season

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McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown believes the 2025 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be an "epic" one, with the potential for a midfield team to disrupt the battle among the sport's top four contenders.

Last year, McLaren sealed their first Constructors' title in over two decades, the Woking-based outfit defeating Ferrari by just 14 points at the end F1's fourteen-race campaign.

Brown is brimming with confidence ahead of this year's championship, but the McLaren chief also remains grounded in the reality of the fierce competition awaiting his team.

In fact, Brown is going so far as to predict that a midfield squad could "disrupt" the running order among F1's front-runners and challenge for big points or race wins.

Anticipating Eight Different Winners

Speaking at the F1 75 season launch event in London this week, Brown made clear that McLaren's ambitions remain sky-high.

"We'd like to go for the Constructors' and the Drivers' World Championship," he declared.

"And why not be greedy and have that be 1-2, and let Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri] decide who's 1 and who's 2. So that's our collective goal."

But Brown's excitement extends beyond McLaren's title chase, as he sees the field tightening significantly.

"I think this season should be epic and even closer than last year. So I'm anticipating eight different winners. I think this year we had seven. Four teams won. Wouldn't be surprised with how competitive it is."

Pointing to last season's unpredictability, Brown highlighted the potential for midfield teams to mix it up at the front.

"Every weekend last year, while the top four teams were always at the front, there always seemed to be someone that was able to disrupt," he added.

"So I expect that to be happening again. So I wouldn't be surprised if there were more than four teams that won. So I think we're in store for an epic Formula 1 season."

Norris: 'Expect Winners Outside the Top Four'

McLaren driver Lando Norris echoed Brown's sentiments, emphasizing how stability in the regulations has brought the grid closer together.

The Briton sees this as a pivotal year for Formula 1 before the new 2026 regulations potentially widen the competitive gap again.

"I think it's everyone's expectation from probably within Formula 1," Norris said.

"Every year rules don't change, every time regulations don't change, it gets closer and closer, that's the way it's always worked."

Norris pointed to the progress of F1's midfield teams as evidence.

"It already got pretty close at the end of last year. I think you already started to see the middle pack, which is the back half of most of the grid apart from the top four teams.

"The six other teams, you've already started to see them catching up and getting closer and closer. I probably only expect that to be even more the case over the winter and probably into this season."

Like Brown, the four-time Grand Prix winner even suggested that a non-top-four team could win a race.

"I think you're probably going to have this season some winners that aren't top four teams, that aren't McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, or Red Bull, which I think is good for Formula 1, it's good for the fans, it's good for the whole sport."

However, Norris also expressed regret that the progress being made across the grid could be undone by the sweeping 2026 rule changes.

"It's a shame that it all changes in 2026, because I'm expecting it to be a good season and tough for all of us. So yeah, I'm looking forward to it, because I think it's not going to be just a fight of the usual."

McLaren's Innovative Approach and Relentless Drive

As reigning Constructors' Champions, McLaren faces the challenge of maintaining its edge in an intensely competitive field. Brown assured the team's fans that it's not resting on its laurels.

"It's been an enjoyable off-season, but a very busy off-season," Brown admitted. "We took a little bit of time to celebrate, but the teams, you celebrate Sunday night, then Monday, you're kind of right back to work."

Brown emphasized McLaren's determination to stay ahead of the competition, acknowledging how narrow margins in F1 can quickly shift the pecking order.

"We definitely feel, in a positive way, the pressure of being a World Championship team. We're definitely not taking anything for granted.

"We see a few tenths can make a huge swing. We see how much pace we've found in 12 months, so we know others are definitely capable of doing that."

The American also pointed to the team's strong culture and innovative mindset as key factors in their preparation.

"We're just head down, very focused, not taking anything for granted, working very hard, but working really well together.

"The environment at the factory is pretty awesome. We're pushing each other hard. There's a lot of innovation on the racing cars, so we've not stood still.

"We've got nine teams that aren't sitting still either."

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