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There is an alternate reality in which Zak Brown never spearheads McLaren’s F1 revival, which he expands on in this episode of ‘In conversation with’ from The Race Business
There is an alternate reality where Zak Brown never leads McLaren’s Formula 1 resurgence and instead, he works for the championship itself. In an interview for ‘In conversation with,’ Brown recalls being approached by F1’s then-new owner Liberty Media in late 2016.
This opportunity may seem foreign to fans who know Brown as a McLaren enthusiast and CEO, especially since he faced doubts early on when he took over from Ron Dennis. Joining McLaren as executive director in 2016 and becoming CEO in 2018, Brown oversaw a transformation that took McLaren from a low point to eventual world champion.
Brown almost pursued a role with F1’s commercial rights holder but chose McLaren instead, where he found a passion for racing. His impact on McLaren’s success, including developing key personnel like team principal Andrea Stella, highlights his crucial role in the team’s resurgence on and off the track. Without Brown, McLaren’s trajectory would have been drastically different, showcasing his significant influence in the team’s journey back to the top of Formula 1.
