McLaren Racing announced on the eve of the Australian Grand Prix that Zak Brown’s term as CEO has been extended through 2030.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has been rewarded with a contract extension that will see him remain in his role through at least 2030 following recent team progress.
Brown started working with McLaren in 2016 and later in 2018, he was appointed as the McLaren Racing CEO, a role he has maintained ever since. In addition to serving as the team’s official spokesperson, the Californian has been in charge of several changes to the larger racing organization which includes participating and winning races in Formula E and IndyCar.
The F1 team has also improved significantly in recent years. Last year, McLaren finished fourth in the constructors’ championship and consistently battled to be the second-quickest team at the end of the season, owing to a huge improvement in performance following a technical team revamp.
Brown brought in Andrea Stella to lead the McLaren F1 team last year and was also able to sign Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to longer contracts. He recently hired a number of top professionals including Red Bull’s Rob Marshall and Ferrari’s David Sanchez.
McLaren has secured one race victory, 18 podiums, and a top-three finish in the Constructors’ standings since Brown took over.
“I am thrilled to continue leading McLaren Racing and to be a part of such a historic race team,” Zak Brown said. “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 supports the decision to extend Brown’s contract, citing his pivotal role in the team’s consistent podium finishes in the second half of the previous season.
“Zak has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and has been instrumental in driving McLaren Racing forward,” Paul Walsh said. “His extension reflects our confidence in his ability to lead the team to even greater success in the years to come.”
McLaren has turned into a profitable enterprise under Brown’s direction as the organization reported a £27.7 million profit in 2023.
The fact that McLaren is currently among the most commercially successful teams on the grid, in sharp contrast to their plain-looking car when Brown took control, is evidence of the American’s success with the team both on and off the track.
