McLaren CEO Zak Brown has become increasingly involved in the daily operations within the racing team over the past few years. The American demanded a prominent position within the team ranks and, thanks in part to numerous interviews and appearances in the Netflix documentary Drive to Survive, has increasingly become the face of the papayas. In a new interview, however, he explains that he mainly plays a supporting role in sporting matters and relies on the expertise of the specialists.
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In an interview for McLaren’s own website, Zak Brown talks about his role at the pit wall. He emphasizes that he feels just as much pressure during a race weekend as the rest of the team, but that he can rely on his strategists and engineers. “I try not to get in their way,” he responded with a wink. “Ultimately, it’s my job to make sure everyone gets what they need.”
‘Let the experts do their job’
The CEO also keeps a low profile when it comes to criticism. “No one benefits if I complain again on Monday morning that the team should have made a pit stop or something like that. At the pit wall, I only communicate with Andrea (Stella, ed.) and say some encouraging words. Beyond that, I let the experts do their job.”
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At the same time, Brown is fully aware of the competitive environment in which McLaren operates. “I really enjoy walking past the cars and our history at the McLaren headquarters,” he beamed. “They are all cars I saw racing when I was growing up. It’s nice to see, especially since they were driven by the drivers I admired. By the time I’m sitting behind my desk, I’m already in the right mood,” he concluded with a grin.
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