Formula 1: Zak Brown extends leadership of McLaren until 2030

The American Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, has been extended until 2030 in his position, the English manufacturer involved in Formula 1 announced on Friday. Arrived at McLaren in 2016 as general manager after the forced departure of Briton Ron Dennis from As chairman of the group, Brown - a former Formula 3 driver who also headed marketing company JMI - became CEO of McLaren Racing in 2018.

Under his era, the team based in Woking (England) raised the bar, going from ninth place in the F1 constructors' standings in 2017, to sixth place the following year then fourth in 2019. It has since never done worse than a fifth place in the championship (in 2022). In addition, McLaren has diversified by joining Formula E (electric), Indycar (North American single-seater championship) and Extreme E (electric SUV championship). “Zak (...) has played a key role in the progression of McLaren Racing. His extension reflects our confidence in his ability to lead the team to even greater success in the years to come,” said Paul Walsh, executive chairman of the group, quoted in a press release.

In F1, McLaren has not won a title since 2008, when Briton Lewis Hamilton won the first of his seven world titles. Daniel Ricciardo remains to this day the last McLaren driver to have won a race - during the 2021 Italian Grand Prix -, the only GP won by McLaren since 2012. At the dawn of the third round of the season contested this weekend in Australia, the team is currently in third position in the constructors' standings with its drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.