### McLaren's Zak Brown Predicts Oscar Piastri's Future Success in F1 - In a recent series of interviews, McLaren CEO Zak Brown expressed unwavering confidence in Oscar Piastri's potential to become a Formula 1 world champion, despite the Australian narrowly missing out on the title in 2025. Piastri, who was a strong contender throughout the season, ultimately finished third in the standings after a challenging finale in Abu Dhabi, where teammate Lando Norris secured the championship. Brown's remarks highlight the promising trajectory of Piastri's career and the competitive dynamics within McLaren's team. ### Breakdown of Zak Brown's Confidence in Piastri 1. **Piastri's Performance in 2025**: - Piastri led the championship standings for a significant portion of the season, showcasing his talent and competitiveness. However, a late-season dip in form allowed Norris to overtake him, culminating in a second-place finish in the Abu Dhabi race [https://www.yardbarker.com/formula_one/articles/oscar_piastri_could_be_champion_next_year_zak_brown/s1_17207_43185748]. 2. **Brown's Predictions for 2026**: - Brown believes that Piastri is not only capable of winning the championship but could do so as early as next year. He emphasized that Piastri's experience and growth within the team will be crucial for his future success [https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/zak-brown-outlines-why-f1-rivals-should-watch-out-for-piastri-next-year]. 3. **Team Dynamics and Management**: - The competition between Piastri and Norris has created a challenging yet beneficial environment for McLaren. Brown acknowledged the complexities of managing two top drivers but believes it ultimately raises the team's performance standards [https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-zak-brown-backs-oscar-piastri-f1-championship-2026-bitter-loss-lando-norris]. ### Supporting Evidence of Piastri's Potential - **Season Performance Metrics**: - Piastri led the championship for 15 out of 24 races. - He had a 34-point lead over Norris after 14 rounds, indicating a strong start to the season [https://www.yardbarker.com/formula_one/articles/mclaren_ceo_zak_brown_issues_oscar_piastri_prediction/s1_17407_43182535]. - **Challenges Faced**: - A significant crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marked a low point in his season, contributing to a podium-less stretch leading up to the final races [https://www.flashscore.dk/news/auto-racing-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-formula-1-mclaren-ceo-brown-insists-piastri-future-world-champion-after-near-miss-in-2025/dz6iaez9]. ### Conclusion: Piastri's Future in Formula 1 - **Zak Brown's Confidence**: Brown's belief in Piastri's championship potential is rooted in the young driver's impressive performance and resilience throughout the 2025 season. - **Key Takeaways**: 1. Piastri's strong early-season performance positions him as a future contender. 2. The competitive environment within McLaren is expected to foster further growth for both Piastri and Norris. 3. Brown's predictions suggest that Piastri could emerge as a champion as soon as the 2026 season, making him a driver to watch in the coming years [https://www.espn.ph/f1/story/_/id/47244961/zak-brown-oscar-piastri-become-world-champion-mclaren]. In summary, while Piastri faced setbacks in 2025, the support from McLaren's leadership and his demonstrated capabilities indicate a bright future ahead in Formula 1.