McLaren has struggled to match its previous success under Formula 1’s new regulations, leaving the team well behind Mercedes and Ferrari in the constructors’ championship.
The team sits 239 points behind leaders Mercedes and 105 points adrift of Ferrari in second place. Red Bull is also putting pressure on McLaren, trailing by just seven points in the battle for third.
McLaren has managed only two victories this season, with Lando Norris winning in Hungary and Zandvoort. Mercedes, meanwhile, has enjoyed a much stronger campaign, with Kimi Antonelli leading the drivers’ championship after collecting eight wins.
Asked to assess McLaren’s season, Brown did not hide his disappointment but highlighted the lessons learned during a challenging campaign.
“Difficult,” Brown said. “A lot of progress, lots of learning.”
Brown acknowledged Mercedes’ impressive form, admitting that many had expected the team to dominate after the season began in Australia.
“Everyone thought Mercedes would win 24 races on the trot, and they’ve had an unbelievable season. I’d be very surprised if they didn’t win the championship,” he said.
However, Brown insisted that the competitive nature of Formula 1 meant teams could not afford to become complacent, with several outfits now capable of winning races.
“It’s not over until it’s over. Now you’ve got four teams that have won races,” he added.
The McLaren chief also pointed to the increasingly close competition across the grid, with teams such as Alpine and Racing Bulls showing they can challenge stronger rivals on their day.
Behind the scenes, McLaren has already shifted much of its development focus towards 2027. The team has identified limitations with the MCL40’s grip and handling, alongside weaknesses in straight-line performance, as areas that need to be addressed.
A significantly revised chassis concept is being considered for next season as McLaren looks to build a more competitive package under the regulations.
With six rounds remaining, Brown wants his team to use the final races to regain momentum and carry that progress into the next campaign.
“This has been a tough year, a learning year,” he said. “But I want to finish on a high note so we can go into ’27 fighting for the championship.”
McLaren’s next opportunity to make progress comes at the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, from 23 to 25 October.
