Zak Brown Grins as McLaren "Spies" on Rivals

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has left the Barcelona shakedown with a smile on his face, confident that the reigning constructors' champions are fully on schedule for the new season. The Woking-based squad enjoyed a trouble-free test with their new challenger, gathering valuable aerodynamic data. However, Brown revealed that the team wasn't just focused on their own car—they were busy gathering intelligence on everyone else, too.

The Art of Pit Lane Espionage 

In the ultra-competitive world of Formula 1, knowledge is power. Brown candidly admitted that McLaren photographers snapped "lots of photos" of rival cars throughout the week. "It’s useful to see what other people have done," Brown explained. "It just gives you a few extra ideas about the next development direction you can take." With the regulations being brand new, seeing how teams like Mercedes and Ferrari interpreted the rules can provide critical shortcuts for development. 

Validating the Virtual World 

The primary focus for McLaren, however, was correlating their new wind tunnel and simulator data with the real world. Brown noted that the initial feedback from the track has allowed them to improve the realism of their simulation tools immediately. With the aerodynamic foundation looking solid and "flow vis" paint providing the engineers with confirmation of their designs, McLaren believes they are well-positioned to defend their title, armed with both their own data and the secrets of their competitors. 

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country US
  • Date of b. Nov 7 1971 (54)
  • Place of b. Los Angeles, California U.S., US
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 0 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar