Following a speedy run at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP, the McLaren speedsters, led by CEO Zak Brown, are really letting the team’s orange shade pop out this season. This British team is surely striving to continue this hot run at next weekend’s Aussie GP as well.
However, Zak Brown has just made the day brighter for McLaren with a positive update on his future.
Zak Brown extends McLaren contract
In an official statement today, McLaren Racing announced that the team’s CEO Zak Brown, who joined the Orange Outfitters in 2016 as an executive director, will continue in his role after extending his contract till 2030.
The statement by McLaren reported that Brown will continue to lead the team’s “operational performance” as well as “driving significant marketing and commercial development.”
In his latest post on X (formerly Twitter), Zak Brown also announced his contract extension with McLaren, revealing his excitement and gratitude for the team.
“I am thrilled and honored that I will continue to lead McLaren Racing as CEO until 2030. It is a privilege to work alongside the talented men and women across McLaren Racing’s different race series.”
“Together, with our people, our fans, and our partners, we will continue to push the boundaries of motorsport and strive for the highest performance on and off the track. And ultimately, as CEO, and as a McLaren fan, I want what you want, to win. Let’s keep pushing.”
Talking about Brown and his contract extension, McLaren’s executive chairman Paul Walsh, also stated, “Zak has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and has been instrumental in driving McLaren Racing forward.”
“His extension reflects our confidence in his ability to lead the team to even greater success in the years to come,” he concluded.
These positive news from Zak Brown for McLaren comes at a time, when the rest of the teams in Formula 1, like Red Bull and Mercedes are in a bit of a ‘transparent’ chaos.
Zak Brown wants more transparency
In an earlier interview, before signing his extension, Zak Brown revealed his frustration over the FIA’s ‘cloudy’ handling of the multiple scandals that have overshadowed the season’s start.
Talking about the FIA’s investigation against its President Ben Sulayem, Brown demanded a stop to the FIA’s secrecy in the matters, and stated: “We’re living in 2024, not 1984, which means total transparency.”
“I think we need to make sure that things are done in a transparent, a truly independent manner. I think everyone should welcome transparency.”
During the interview, the McLaren CEO also talked about the other scandals, including Susie Wolff’s latest case against the FIA, engulfing F1 before this weekend’s Aussie GP.
“Everyone would like these various topics to [be resolved to] enable us to go back to motor racing, but I think until all the unanswered questions are answered, people will continue to ask questions,” Brown said.
“I don’t think it’s a great situation that we’re in that we’re three races into the calendar and we’re still talking about these issues. It’s important that the FIA, as our governing body address this swiftly, transparently and they come to the right conclusions, whatever those may be,” he concluded, calling for more transparency in F1.
Zak Brown will be in McLaren’s papaya colors at Albert Park, this weekend at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.
Have McLaren made the right move by extending Brown’s contract? Will the FIA even listen to his words of ‘transparency’? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
