McLaren's title defense hit a few early speed bumps this season, but CEO Zak Brown and his squad have been quietly working behind the scenes to close the gap. After a tough start, their performance in Miami gave fans a glimmer of hope—and Brown's confidence is running high.

The Orange Army delivered a solid weekend in Florida, securing a one-two finish in the sprint race followed by second and third in the main event. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri showed impressive pace, holding their own against a resurgent Mercedes team across the weekend. It was the kind of result that reminds everyone why McLaren are defending champions.

Speaking via Sky Sports, Brown admitted the season hasn't been easy. "It's been a tough start to the year. I think they were pretty much always two-tenths ahead. When you compare it to where we were at the beginning of 2023, we're getting closer. That gap between where we are now and where we need to be is now three or four tenths—not quite as close as maybe it looked on paper."

Lawrence Barretto, speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, revealed what Brown told him during a private chat before a Q&A session in Miami. Barretto asked the CEO directly whether he believed McLaren could still fight for both championships despite their rough start. Staying true to his confident style, Brown didn't hesitate. "I did a Q&A with Zak just ahead of the weekend. Just before we went on stage, I asked him, 'Do you think you can fight for both championships?' He was like, 'Yeah, I definitely think we can.' Zak doesn't tend to say that when you're just having a chat unless he genuinely believes they can get in that fight."

Barretto noted that this belief echoes through the entire McLaren organization right now. "When you've got that, it's an incredible strength to have coming to a track because it's going to scare everyone else."

Adding to the optimism, Barretto highlighted McLaren's reputation for making solid gains during the middle part of the season. "Every time you tell them they're bringing a big upgrade, you've already won slightly because everyone else is like, 'Uh oh.' I think there is a gap, of course there is. But we've really seen so far that McLaren know how to develop a car mid-season."

For fans and gear enthusiasts alike, this is the kind of fighting spirit that makes McLaren such an exciting team to follow. Whether it's on the track or in the paddock, the belief is real—and that alone might be enough to keep the title fight alive.