Early Christmas for Zak Brown

Zak Brown

Newly confirmed as Executive Director at McLaren Technology Group, Zak Brown sets out his stall for the future.

As if further proof were needed of just how involved Zak Brown really is, the marketing guru, having turned his back on the prospect of a senior role in the management of F1, possibly 'replacing' Bernie Ecclestone, has given his first interview about his new role at the McLaren Technology Group to Autosport.com and Motorsport.com, both of which are owned by the mysterious Miami-based Russian Mike Zoi, and the latter of which Brown is the non-executive chairman.

Consequently one might perceive this to be something of an in-house interview… if you get the picture.

Asked his feelings in the aftermath of yesterday's announcement, the American makes no attempt to hide his excitement.

"I haven't been this happy in a while," he admits. "I feel like a little kid. It feels like Christmas has come early, it's an absolutely awesome feeling. It's been great walking around the building and looking at it through a different lens.

"This is an opportunity to understand what was my dream team, growing up," he continues. "For me McLaren are the Senna era, then the Mika Hakkinen era. They were always my favorite F1 team. There are lots of people here I've done lots of business with over the past decade. It feels really good to get the opportunity to help lead the way with what I think is the best team in Formula 1.

"It's a great time to be joining McLaren. They're clearly on an upwards trajectory. I'm excited by my role in the areas of contribution that I have been asked to make. I have a great relationship with all the shareholders.

"Then beyond F1 I'm very happy with what McLaren are doing in the automotive space. Even though that's not my remit and responsibility, the two go hand-in-hand from a brand standpoint."

Inevitably, he is asked about Ron Dennis.

"I'm very close to Ron," he replies. "I have massive admiration for what he and everyone in this team have built. He's currently a shareholder and CEO. I spoke to him recently and as a shareholder he will have a big vested interest in our success. What that looks like, I don't know."

Asked about his first priority, and whether it will be the team's finances, it's on-track performance or the need for a title sponsor, he admits: "All of the above. It's up to Eric and Jost in their respective teams who are ultimately responsible for making the car really fast.

"We also need to contribute to making the economics better. There's lots of space on the McLaren race car that needs filling with top luxury brands.
"A title sponsor will help propel you forward. But I don't think this is a priority over the other. We need partners and ultimately a title partner is a critical partner."

Asked if there is a timescale, he says: "There's a lot for me to learn but like in any business you've got to show forward progress as fast as possible.
"There has been good forward progress in the past 24 months. But I don't know enough yet to start predicting grid positions. I've got to get back to winning sooner rather than later."

Asked about Boullier and Capito, who will report directly to him, he says: "About Eric, I got to know him when he was running Lotus when we had the Unilever sponsorship with them. I knew him from before but that was the first time I really got to see him work. I was extremely impressed.

Given the challenges that Lotus had, what he did with it, and people thought Kimi was at the back-end of his career. So to turn it around and get to third in the championship, the car was great, they had a great team and culture that meant Kimi got back to winning. They clearly punched above their weight, and Eric was the team leader there. That's always impressed me.

"Then if you look at McLaren, from since he joined, they've moved forwards. Everything I've seen, putting aside my friendship, he's got the results and it looks like we're going in the right direction. I'm bullish on Eric.

"Jost I've known for 10-plus years – he was actually my client at Ford. He's been a winner in everything I've seen him do, I get along with him great and he's passionate about the brand. I think he's an extremely talented individual, so I think we've got a lot of the right resources from what I can see. Now it's about forward progress and coming together as a team."

Asked if he perceives any "instant fixes", he admits: "No, I'm not close enough to it yet. Of course I have some views, but I think it's important that I get settled in and learn more and not think I know best while working off limited information.

"But clearly we need a title partner, so we need to become a more attractive proposition to commercial partners, and we need to go forwards because there's clearly a reason we're not winning as much as we should. That needs to be addressed but I haven't identified where those pockets are."

Asked, given its current standing, if the Woking outfit needs to be "a little more humble" in terms of what it asks of potential sponsors, the marketing guru says: "I think all of us in F1, and I'd like to see McLaren lead the way, need to think about partnerships with a continued view and evolving in an innovative way.

"Sponsors are more sophisticated than ever on how they buy, they're more results and measurements oriented. We need to be a racing team that adapts how we go to market with corporate partners.

"McLaren has led the way and created what modern-day F1 looks like. And I'd like us to do that on the track and off the track."

Asked if his role at Motorsport.com might conflict with his new role at McLaren, he replies: "I have a few roles such as Motorsport.com, Cosworth and my racing team and those are all to stay.

"I spend my time on the business side of Motorsport.com and not the editorial side," he adds. "Therefore, figuring out how to create better products and build organizations has nothing to do with editorial, so I don't see any conflict. It's only a conflict if you turn it into one, and that I don't intend to do."