Zak Brown :Everything you want to know about ADV News, Photos & Exclusive stories.

Zak Brown is thrilled with McLaren's rapid rise in the 2024 Formula 1 season. The team’s unexpected leap from midfield to championship contender has surprised even Brown, who originally expected this level of success by 2025. McLaren's comeback over the last two seasons has been one of the most talked-about stories in the sport. From finishing fourth in the Constructors' Championship in 2023, they have now mounted a serious challenge to Red Bull’s dominance. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s strong performances have closed the gap to just 42 points behind the championship leaders. To overtake Red Bull, McLaren would need everything to go perfectly—a race win, a second-place finish, and the fastest lap—along with a rare mistake from their rivals. While this is a tough ask, Brown is full of praise for his team’s impressive progress.

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McLaren’s resurgence has brought new energy to the team and the sport. Keeping up this momentum while continuing to innovate will be key to staying competitive. As the season heats up, the battle between McLaren and Red Bull is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

<h2>F1: 2024 Constructor Championship Fight</h2>

<img alt="F1 McLaren 1 " height="720" src="/uploads/2024/07/F1-McLaren-1-.jpg" width="1280" />

McLaren's meteoric rise has transformed them into a formidable challenger to Red Bull's Constructors' Championship dominance. The team's MCL38, significantly enhanced with upgrades introduced at the Miami Grand Prix, has proven a potent force. While Red Bull remains the team to beat, McLaren's consistent scoring from both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri has narrowed the gap to a mere 42 points.

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In contrast to McLaren's momentum, Sergio Perez has faced challenges, failing to secure a podium finish since April. His struggles have contrasted sharply with the imperious form of teammate Max Verstappen, who holds a commanding 78-point lead in the Drivers' Championship over Norris. Despite the gap, Norris remains a viable title contender.

Zak Brown acknowledges that McLaren could have closed the gap further had it not been for strategic errors and driver mistakes. As the season reaches its climax, the intensity of the Constructors' battle is set to increase, with McLaren's ability to sustain their performance crucial to their title aspirations.

<a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/clynnlndevjo">Source</a>

F1: Zak Brown Admits Surprise at McLaren's Strong Position in Constructors' Championship

Zak Brown acknowledges that McLaren's swift rise to championship contention in 2024 has surpassed expectations. Now trailing Red Bull by just 42 points in the Constructors' Championship, the team's progress has been truly remarkable.

F1: McLaren Secures Zak Brown's Leadership with Contract Extension Until 2030

Brown has spearheaded McLaren's expansive growth in racing, encompassing an IndyCar program, entries into Formula E and Extreme E, alongside their ongoing Formula 1 participation.

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, predicts that the company's wind tunnel facilities and new recruits will not produce their full potential until 2025. After a sluggish start to the 2023 season, McLaren made great strides forward in the next year thanks to an improvement that was unveiled during the Austrian Grand Prix in the middle of the season, which improved their on-track performance. They finished fourth in the constructors' championship because of this upgrade. Beyond on-track advances, McLaren is undergoing continuous alterations with important personnel additions and structural modifications. Notably, Team Principal Andrea Stella is the direct boss of the newly formed Formula 1 Technical Executive Team. Both David Sanchez, who will be returning to McLaren after years at Ferrari, and Peter Prodromou, who is now serving as Technical Director of aerodynamics, are important hires. Sanchez will be taking on the post of Technical Director of car Concept and Performance. With all of these changes, McLaren is expected to have strong upcoming seasons.

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<h2>F1: Zak Brown Praises Oscar's Performance&nbsp;</h2>

<img alt="F1 Oscar Piastri 3 " height="720" src="/uploads/2023/09/F1-Oscar-Piastri-3-.jpg" width="1280" />

Oscar Piastri distinguished himself as one of the standout rookies in Formula One by not just meeting but exceeding the tremendous expectations he had going into his maiden season.

The Australian driver was in a highly desirable position, with interest from both Alpine and McLaren, his present squad. Despite his lack of Grand Prix experience, he was thrust into the limelight by the fierce rivalry for his potential. Despite everything that happened in 2023, Piastri used his performances on the track to tell the story, admitting that it was the busiest year of his life.

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"I believe we have the strongest driver pairing on the Formula 1 grid," said Mclaren CEO in his opean letter. "Many agree that Oscar has been a revelation in his rookie campaign, and he has already shown he is able to fight at the front with the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. It was a shame he missed out on a podium at Silverstone, due to the timing of the Safety Car. Still, he did achieve his first at Suzuka before his brilliant victory in the Qatar Sprint, both of which prove he is an exceptional talent. "

"With a new contract that takes Oscar with us through to the end of 2026, I’ve no doubt he’ll continue to impress as he gains more experience. Victory in the Sprint in Qatar was one of two fitting achievements for the team that weekend in what has been a very special year," he added.

<h2>F1: Brown Aims to Start 2024 on the Right Foot</h2>

Among the more inspiring stories of 2023 was McLaren's meteoric rise through the ranks of Formula One, which they overcame from a difficult beginning to earn a respectable fourth-place finish in the Constructors' Championship.

On the other hand, this triumph has raised eyebrows, and many now expect McLaren to pose a serious threat to Red Bull in the 2024 season.

Zak Brown said: "While it was a tough start for us in Formula 1, we stayed focused and remained calm under our new leadership team, headed by Andrea Stella, to develop our car, which took us from the back of the grid to fighting at the front. The amazing thing is that, apart from a few changes at leadership level, it was the same people who started the season that enabled McLaren to finish 2023 strongly. And as we work around the clock on our 2024 challenger, we intend to build on this year’s progress and push our rivals even harder next year."

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"We face a formidable challenge next season in continuing to close the gap to the front. All teams are locked in a quest for car development and greater pace that is just as fierce off the track as it is on it, but our team will rise to the challenge with its usual determination and relentless dedication," he added.

Brown's evaluation follows Lando Norris's incredibly encouraging comments during the Abu Dhabi season finale, when he hinted that the car will be receiving even "bigger changes" in the next year.

F1: McLaren CEO Zak Brown Targets 2025 to Optimise Operations and Maximize Investments

McLaren is currently undergoing significant positive changes, and there are hopeful anticipations that the upward trend observed in 2023 will persist into 2024, possibly resulting in a more enduring and consistent rivalry with Red Bull.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown commends Team Principal Andrea Stella for his exceptional performance in his inaugural season at the helm of the Woking-based team. After the disappointing start of the MCL60 and the departure of designer James Key, all taking place after former team boss Andreas Seidl moved to Sauber, Brown expresses admiration for Stella's transformational efforts early in the season, especially in revamping the technical department.

As evidence of Stella's impact, Brown cites the team's increased performance, which included a number of podium finishes and a noteworthy pole position. In addition to praising the upward trend, Brown compliments Stella for leading McLaren to their most recent groundbreaking ceremony, which was for a new wind tunnel.

Driver Lando Norris secured the team's maiden podium at the British Grand Prix, demonstrating the positive impact of Stella's term in McLaren's successes. Teammate Piastri and Norris went on to rack up nine podium finishes between them, with Piastri taking first place in a sprint race in Qatar and the rookie proving his mettle under Stella's supervision. The new boss has been so successful, and Brown is so pleased with him that he "can't say enough great things" about him.

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<h2>F1: Brown Hails Stella's Leadership</h2>

<img alt="F1 McLaren Andrea Stella" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/12/F1-McLaren-Andrea-Stella.jpg" width="1280" />

When prompted to contemplate Andrea Stella's role since assuming the position of team boss, Brown remarked: "Andrea has done a fantastic job – he’s a tremendous leader. He’s a great communicator, he empowers the team, he listens, he gives great direction – I can’t say enough great things about him."

"We’ve been in the second half of the year kind of the second-, third-quickest car, lots of podiums, so it’s a credit to Andrea and everyone in the racing team. It’s a team effort, which is great to see," he added.

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<h2>F1: Monster Energy Switches from Mercedes to Mclaren&nbsp;</h2>

<img alt="F1 McLaren Monster Energy" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/12/F1-McLaren-Monster-Energy.jpg" width="1280" />

Monster Energy has signed a major sponsorship deal with the McLaren Formula 1 team, ending their fourteen-season partnership with Mercedes. The move is a significant one for the famous beverage company. Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, Monster Energy will become a key partner of McLaren. Beginning with the 2024 season, the helmets, race suits, caps, and drink bottles of drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will feature the distinctive 'M' emblem.

McLaren RacingZak CEO Brown said: "We are delighted to join forces with the iconic Monster Energy brand from next season onwards. Monster focuses on celebrating athletes through bold ideas and creating awesome content, so we can’t wait to explore ideas and find new ways to engage and entertain our fans."

Monster Energy Company Chairman and Co-CEO Rodney Sacks said: "Monster Energy is proud to start this new chapter in its F1 journey with McLaren Racing. Monster is focused on enhancing fan experiences and partnering with a world-class team and its elite drivers to share our passion with F1’s global audience. We are planning some really exciting programs with Lando and Oscar and are excited to go racing together from 2024."

Through a personal arrangement, Monster supports Hamilton, and the seven-time champion endorses a range of sugar-free beverages. Even though the Mercedes partnership is over, Hamilton's association with the energy drink brand may still go on.

F1: McLaren CEO Zak Brown Praises Andrea Stella as the Woking Team Leader

Andrea Stella's remarkable performance in his first year as Team Principal of the Woking-based team has garnered high acclaim from McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

Sam Bird will join fellow Brit Jake Hughes at the Woking-based McLaren Formula E team for Season 10 of the FIA Formula E Championship. Bird, who had been racing for Jaguar TCS Racing but was released at the end of the season, has replaced René Rast and is a welcome boost to the Woking team thanks to his speed and his experience racing in all nine seasons of Formula E. McLaren had a rough season in 2023, the first year of Gen3, due to the lack of energy efficiency in its race car. As a result, the team finished on the podium just once. With Bird on board, the team should be able to move up from this year's disappointing P8 finish in the Constructors' Championship thanks in large part to his wealth of experience and talent.

<h2>Formula E: Sam Bird Super Excited to Join McLaren</h2>

McLaren joined Formula E at the start of season 9, effectively taking over Mercedes' place after the German manufacturer withdrew after winning back-to-back teams' and drivers' titles with Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne. Bird will be competing alongside Jake Hughes, who renewed his contract with McLaren just last week and is returning for a second year.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The news you've all been waiting for... 
 
Welcome to the Team, <a href="https://twitter.com/sambirdofficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sambirdofficial</a>!
— NEOM McLaren FE (@McLarenFE) <a href="https://twitter.com/McLarenFE/status/1693971368751013923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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On joining McLaren, Sam Bird said, “I'm super excited to get going with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. Becoming part of a team with so much heritage and prestige as the McLaren Racing family feels special. We know there is some work to do ahead of Season 10, to ensure we get to where we want to be, which is at the front of the Formula E pack. It feels great to be part of the team and I can't wait to kick off the season preparations, I'm super motivated and driven to deliver success with the team in Season 10.”

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said, “It is a pleasure to welcome Sam to the McLaren Racing family. Throughout his time in Formula E, Sam has proven himself to be an impressive talent, and we are eager to leverage his experience and expertise to help bring the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team further success in Season 10. Alongside Jake, I’m confident that we have one of the strongest pairings on the Formula E grid. Bring on Season 10!”

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<h2>Formula E: Sam Bird Racing Career</h2>

<img alt="Formula E Sam Bird 1 " height="720" src="/uploads/2023/08/Formula-E-Sam-Bird-1-.jpg" width="1280" />

Bird started his career in single-seater racing in 2004 in Formula BMW, where he finished second in 2005. He then competed in Formula Renault and went on to race in multiple seasons of Formula 3 and the GP2 Series before moving on to Formula 1 with teams like Williams Racing and Mercedes AMG Petronas. Additionally, he has participated in the FIA World Endurance Championship since 2014. Noteworthy achievements encompass securing victory in the LMP2 category in 2014 alongside G-Drive Racing, as well as attaining a second-place finish in the LMGTE Pro class with AF Corse in 2016.

Sam Bird has been a participant in the Formula E championship since it began in Season 1. Over the course of those nine seasons, the 36-year-old has amassed an impressive 11 victories, 26 podium finishes, and six Julius Baer Pole Positions, making him one of the most successful drivers on the grid. At the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, he departed from Jaguar TCS Racing following a tenure lasting three seasons.

Formula E: Sam Bird Joins NEOM McLaren for Upcoming Season 10

For the next Formula E season, Sam Bird will replace Rene Rast in the McLaren squad. Sam Bird has competed in Formula E since its inception in 2014, competing for Virgin Racing, Envision Racing, and Jaguar.

McLaren's first podium result of the 2023 season came in the British Grand Prix, and team chief Zak Brown couldn't contain his glee. In Brown's words, the Woking operation was "nowhere" after the first two flyaway races due to the MCL60's difficult preseason, and it could only hope to score a few points in the next six rounds. Recently, he declared in an interview, "We're back in the game." With the departure of Technical Director James Key and the arrival of new team principal Andrea Stella, all eyes were on the massive improvement package McLaren had planned for Austria. Norris and Oscar Piastri soared to second and third in qualifying at Silverstone because of the upgrades available to their McLarens. They went on to finish second and fourth.

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<h2>F1: What did Zak Brown Say?</h2>

<img alt="F1 Mercedes McLaren " height="720" src="/uploads/2023/07/f1-Mercedes-McLaren-.jpg" width="1280" />

Brown, discussing McLaren's performance in an interview after the race, stated, &nbsp;“Given how we started the year in Bahrain and Saudi, where we were nowhere, to be on the podium, to lead the race and be there on pure pace, having two cars there. It’s unfortunate, I feel bad for Oscar, he deserved to be third, but what incredible work all the men and women at McLaren have done.”

More "fantastic racing" is on the horizon, according to Brown, and he thinks championship leader Max Verstappen is "getting less further ahead" as the season progresses.

At the Red Bull Ring in Austria, where the modifications were first introduced with Lando Norris, the British driver excelled by qualifying fourth, placing third in the Sprint Shootout, and finishing fourth in the Grand Prix, however, it was unclear how much of his success could be attributed to the circuit itself.

However, both McLarens were able to take advantage of the Upgrades at Silverstone, allowing Norris and Oscar Piastri to qualify in the top three spots and finish in the top four, with Piastri dropping a position due to the late Safety Car.

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<h2>F1: Changes in Woking</h2>

<img alt="Rob Marshall" height="720" src="/uploads/2023/05/Rob-Marshall.jpg" width="1280" />

After James Key quit in March, CEO Zak Brown and Team Principal Andrea Stella decided to divide Technical Director responsibilities among the three employees.

McLaren was on the verge of breaking after years of steady growth. If they want to stem the haemorrhage and regain the lead, they will need to make major additions like Sanchez to boost their present talent and fight back to the front.

Rob Marshall, who has spent the previous seventeen years with Red Bull Racing and contributed substantially to Red Bull's first triumph, four consecutive double championships from 2010 to 2013, and their most recent victories in 2021 and 2022, is another addition to the British squad.

<a href="https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.brown-says-mclaren-are-back-in-the-game-after-being-nowhere-at-start-of.q75nLXEgepimTiMsd0Tyg.html">Source</a>

F1: 'McLaren is Back in the Game’, Says Team Boss Zak Brown After Lando Norris' Podium Finish At British GP

In a recent interview, he boldly said, they are back in the top game. After losing Technical Director James Key and gaining new team chief Andrea Stella, all eyes were on the enormous upgrade package McLaren had prepared for Austria.

Zak Brown