Zak Brown on Orchestrating McLaren Racing’s Success
As CEO of McLaren Racing, Zak Brown manages an expansive organization that spans Formula 1, IndyCar, and the World Endurance Championship. In a recent discussion with TSN, Brown detailed how effective delegation and a robust leadership structure enable him to maintain high performance across his teams.
“Balance isn’t one of my greater strengths,” Brown acknowledged. “I just kind of—go.” His strategy centers on empowering specialists within each team, including Tony, Andrea Stella, and James Barclay, allowing him to focus on overarching objectives rather than micromanagement.
Under Brown, McLaren has achieved financial stability, rebounding from a loss in 2022 with a strong sponsorship portfolio featuring names like Mastercard, Google Chrome, and Jack Daniel’s. His background as founder of JMI, a leading motorsports marketing agency, reinforces his commercial acumen and his ability to cultivate valuable partnerships.
“It’s about getting the best out of them and driving the pace of the organization,” Brown emphasized. His management style fosters loyal, constructive relationships, encouraging team members to feedback candidly.
Looking ahead, Brown has set ambitious goals: “Our ultimate aim is to win the Indy 500, the IndyCar championship, the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, the Drivers’ Championship, Le Mans, and the World Endurance Championship.” With such targets, McLaren Racing is clearly positioning itself to compete at the pinnacle of motorsport.
