Zak Brown Showcases Historic Lotus 79 at Imola During Emilia Romagna GP Weekend
Imola, Italy — McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown brought motorsport history back to life by taking the renowned Lotus 79, a car that secured Mario Andretti’s 1978 World Drivers’ Championship, onto the Imola track during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend.
In a statement on social media, Brown expressed his enthusiasm: “Awesome to be out on track at Imola with @unitedautosports in the Lotus 79 that @MarioAndretti won the 1978 World Championship. What a circuit!”
This event precedes Brown’s plans to drive the 1987 Williams FW11B, originally piloted by Nigel Mansell, during a demonstration at Silverstone for the upcoming British Grand Prix weekend.
Brown’s Collection Features Key Andretti Cars
In a recent interview with ESPN F1, Brown showcased several iconic cars from his collection, including three driven by the legendary Andretti. He highlighted the significance of each vehicle, stating, “This was the very iconic… I think everyone at my age had this car in the Matchbox, the model cars. It’s a Lotus 79.”
He also recounted the special legacy of Andretti’s 1987 Long Beach Grand Prix winner, emphasizing the car’s dominance: “He dominated the race from pole… this particular chassis also put him on pole at the Indy 500 in ’87."
Such events underscore the enduring legacy of both Brown’s collection and the legendary figures in motorsport history. As the season progresses, the connection between past champions and current teams remains a focal point of the racing narrative.
