Talks at GS McLaren Racing's Lando Norris and Zak Brown: Building a High-Performance Team
May 13, 2026
Lando Norris, 2025 World Drivers’ Champion and McLaren racer, and Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO with decades in motorsport leadership, discuss team-first culture and resilience. They talk about adapting to new technical rules, translating driver feedback into car development, battery and driving adjustments for the 2026 car, and how cross‑functional parts of the organization fuel performance.
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From 36 Points Down To Championship Emotion
- Lando described the emotional arc of chasing his lifelong dream and winning the 2025 championship after seven years with McLaren.
- He recalled being 36 points down midseason, the team’s intense effort to close the gap, and shaking before the final race.
Use Breaks To Increase Performance
- Take regular breaks and pursue other passions to restore focus and improve performance.
- Lando uses golf, travel, DJing and time with friends to decompress and says efficiency and progress rose after he learned to step away.
Regulation Change Widens Early Performance Gaps
- Major regulation changes widen performance gaps early as big teams adapt faster, creating a rapid development race.
- Zak noted the grid spread in early races, Cadillac’s teething issues, and that top teams will consolidate advantages before others catch up.