McLaren CEO Zak Brown Issues Oscar Piastri Prediction

Needing results to fall his way at the season-finale in Abu Dhabi, Piastri qualified behind both title rivals but made a stellar move to the outside of Norris on lap one, though he would be unable to chase down Verstappen out front.

He would have to settle for second on the day and third in the drivers' table, with Norris' championship confirmed.

Piastri and Norris elevated each other

Speaking to UK-based Radio X, Brown addressed Norris' triumph but explained how both drivers helped raise standards across the entire team, part of McLaren's continued push for a high-morale culture.

"The way I have seen him [Norris] mature, especially in the second part of the year... he started off as favorite, Oscar did an unbelievable job over the winter.

"So I think the two of them helped raise each other's game and raise the team's game, so that's a great thing. They had some challenges in the middle of the year and came back super strong."

Piastri will be world champion

Verstappen's victory ensured he ended the season with eight victories - six coming in the last nine races - compared to seven apiece for the McLaren teammates.

Asked whether he was concerned that Piastri would be disappointed at missing out on the title, Brown replied: "These guys want to be world champion and he was so close. So he is disappointed in that, but I don't think he is disappointed in the season. He should be very proud. He won seven races, either of them could have won the championship.

"It is a long season, you get some good luck, some bad luck, so he should be immensely proud. "I am excited already for next season because I think Oscar is a very tough, very focused individual so he has very few areas he needs to improve upon.

"You should watch out for Oscar Piastri next year. It was only his third season and this was Lando's seventh season.

"Oscar is going to be a world champion, and it could be next year."