Zak Brown outlines why F1 rivals 'should watch out for Piastri next year'

10:29, 11 Dec

byTobia Elia

Zak Brown is confident that Oscar Piastri will remain a major contender in 2026, despite losing the title at the final race in Abu Dhabi.

“You should watch out for Oscar Piastri next year. Oscar's going to be a world champion and could be next year”

- Zak Brown

Appearing on RadioX, the McLaren CEO was asked whether Piastri was disappointed with the Abu Dhabi finale, to which he replied: “Of course. These guys want to be world champions and he was so close. So he's disappointed in that.”

Despite the heartbreak at the finish, Brown believes the Australian can be proud of his season, during which he led the championship for fifteen races and proved he can compete at a world-champion level.

“I don't think he's disappointed in the season. He should be very proud of the season. He won seven races. Either of them could have won the championship. And it's a long season and you get some good luck, you get some bad luck. So he should be immensely proud.”

“I'm excited already for next year because I think Oscar's a very tough guy, very focused individual. So he has very few areas he needs to improve upon.”

Photo: Race Pictures

Finally, Brown is convinced that Piastri will become a world champion one day, perhaps as early as next season, and has urged everyone to keep a close eye on him next year.

“You should watch out for Oscar Piastri next year. He's still a couple of years younger than Lando. He's only in his third season. And Lando, this was his seventh season. So Oscar's going to be a world champion and could be next year.”

Hollywood star tears Zak Brown apart in fiery social media outburst

American actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan, best known for his role in The Walking Dead, had a few choice words for Zak Brown after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which saw Lando Norris clinch the title by just 2 points over Max Verstappen and 13 over his teammate.

The Hollywood star, also a passionate Formula 1 fan, unleashed a series of highly emotional comments both during and after the race, targeting the McLaren CEO and the Papaya rules.

Here’s what he posted on social media.

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