Zak Brown has extended his leadership over the Formula 1 team until 2030 by signing a new contract that formally cements his position as CEO of McLaren Racing. Before becoming CEO in the middle of 2018, Brown had been with the Woking-based organisation since 2016 in the role of executive director of the McLaren Technology Group. During his time at the helm, Brown has driven McLaren's bold growth in racing, which has included an IndyCar programme, forays into Formula E and Extreme E, and the team's continued involvement in Formula 1.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said: "I am thrilled to continue leading McLaren Racing and to be a part of such a historic race team. It is a privilege to work alongside the talented men and women across McLaren Racing's different race series. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of motorsport and strive for the highest performance on and off the track."
McLaren Group Executive Chairman Paul Walsh said: “Zak has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and has been instrumental in driving McLaren Racing forward. His extension reflects our confidence in his ability to lead the team to even greater success in the years to come."
Zak Brown and McLaren
During the challenging period of the COVID-19 epidemic, Zak Brown steered McLaren Racing through financial turbulence, impacting the entirety of the McLaren organization. When Brown arrived, McLaren was in decline because of a strained Honda partnership. McLaren Finished Sixth in the 2016 championship followed by ninth the next year.
While Brown was CEO, he brought a fresh perspective, grounded in his passion for motorsports and his experience as a co-founder of United Autosports. His strategic moves, including the recruitment of Andreas Seidl from Porsche LMP1 to lead F1 operations, marked a turning point. Notable successes, such as Carlos Sainz's podium finish in Brazil in 2019—the team's first since the 2014 Australian Grand Prix—and Daniel Ricciardo's memorable 1-2 victory at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, highlighted McLaren's resurgence.
Yet, setbacks came in 2022 with Ricciardo's early contract termination and Seidl's departure to Sauber, coinciding with challenges posed by the reintroduction of ground effect. Brown initiated a comprehensive review of the Formula One technical organization, ultimately appointing Andrea Stella as team principal and implementing significant structural changes, including a new three-way setup and the departure of technical director James Key.
By the conclusion of the 2023 season, McLaren had undergone a remarkable turnaround, propelled by substantial improvements, positioning them as formidable contenders against Red Bull. As they gear up for the 2024 season, McLaren currently holds the third position in the standings ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. McLaren also bagged their first victory in Formula E when Sam Bird finished 1st in the Sao Paulo E-Prix.
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