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McLaren CEO Zak Brown says the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic gave the team a crucial chance to push for a lower budget cap in F1 and avoid bankruptcy.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown credits the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic for allowing the team to advocate successfully for a lower budget cap in Formula 1 and avoid bankruptcy. The pandemic presented a unique opportunity to push for tighter budget controls and protect struggling teams, ultimately reshaping McLaren’s future in the sport. By seizing this window, McLaren transitioned from facing uncertainty to aiming for competitiveness under the new financial rules. Brown emphasized the critical lifeline the timing of the pandemic provided, enabling McLaren to rebuild and aspire to return to the top. The drastic change in financial regulations propelled McLaren back to the forefront of F1, allowing the team to secure its first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 and contend for a first Drivers’ Championship since 2008. The lower budget cap has not only leveled the playing field but also transformed the dynamics of the sport, resulting in increased competition and varied race winners.
