McLaren Racing has announced they are extending their partnership with Zak Brown, who will remain in his role as CEO until 2030.
Brown joined McLaren in 2016, serving initially as an executive director before assuming the CEO position in April 2018.
In recent years, the American businessman steered McLaren’s F1 racing team through a period of financial difficulty in 2020, promoted Andrea Stella to team principal following Andreas Seidl’s departure, secured multiple contract extensions with McLaren Driver Development Programme graduate Lando Norris, and orchestrated Oscar Piastri’s sensational signing.
Under his leadership, McLaren celebrated a 1-2 finish at the Italian Grand Prix in 2021, ending an almost decade-long winless streak. With Brown as CEO and Stella at the helm as team principal, McLaren managed to execute an unlikely mid-season turnaround last year, propelling themselves from the back of the grid to regular podium contention.
Outside of Formula 1, Brown has also been managing McLaren’s involvement in other racing series, including IndyCar, Extreme E and Formula E.
“I am thrilled to continue leading McLaren Racing and to be a part of such a historic race team,” Brown said of the contract extension.
“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.”
In a statement released by McLaren Racing, the company commended Brown for playing “a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of McLaren Racing, overseeing operational high performance across all of McLaren’s race teams and driving significant marketing and commercial development.”
McLaren Group’s Executive Chairman, Paul Walsh, added, “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.”
