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How Zak Brown won the culture war at McLaren Racing

After first finding “a very toxic environment” at McLaren Racing, Zak Brown’s decade at the helm has yielded not just a return to winning but a rejuvenated culture at one of racing’s most iconic brands.

Racer

Published: Wednesday, 11 November 2026 at 9:02 PM

Key Things to Know

Zak Brown transformed McLaren Racing's internal culture, leading to consecutive Formula 1 constructors' championships in 2024 and 2025.
Lando Norris won the 2025 Formula 1 world drivers' championship under Brown's leadership.
Brown revealed he inherited a toxic environment in 2016 with five different leaders over six years.

The Story in 60 Seconds

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown reflected on his decade-long tenure transforming the team's culture and commercial success into championship glory. Brown joined as executive director in 2016 before becoming CEO in 2018, overcoming internal toxicity and frequent leadership turnover. His leadership overhaul culminated in consecutive Formula 1 constructors' championships in 2024 and 2025, alongside Lando Norris securing the 2025 drivers' world title.

Brown also discussed his early career founding Just Marketing International and choosing McLaren over competing leadership offers from Formula 1 management in 2016. Under a contract that runs through 2030, Brown continues to oversee McLaren's ongoing expansion across Formula 1, IndyCar, and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

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