Days After Shifting the Goals for McLaren’s Future F1 Progress, Zak Brown Throws Light on His Challenges as a CEO

Lawrence Stroll and Aston Martin did not care much about short-term goals. All they had in mind was the 5-year plan. Despite finishing 7th in the last two years, the long-term vision is now reaping results. Just days after Zak Brown threw light on McLaren’s future aspects, the CEO recently opened up about the challenges faced by him in that role. 

McLaren has been going through a tough phase. Zak Brown earlier explained how the 2023 season has been frustrating for the whole team. Nonetheless, he added, it’s rare that someone straight away jumps to the front. There are always some bumps and hiccups along the way. Brown expects his team to recover quickly. He added that the team is different from what it was before and that they are in it for the long haul. With the addition of the new tunnel coming online soon, Andrea Stella explained how it is a step in the right direction and will with the future progress of the team. 

However, the pressure of leading and handling a big-name McLaren must be immense. Zak Brown recently explained his role at McLaren as the CEO and the attributes that come with it. Brown suggested that he work for the team and that it’s his job to make sure everything works in the symphony. Nevertheless, as expected being the CEO of a brand like McLaren brings huge responsibility to his shoulders as well as a lot of pressure along with expectations. 

According to the Fast and the Curious podcast, Zak Brown said, “First of all it’s a huge honor and privilege. I mean, what I tell my racing team is ‘I work for them, they don’t work for me’ My job as CEO is to get the right people in the right place, give them the right guidance, give them the right resources and motivation. They’re doing all the work, so I think my job is to work for the team.”

“I suppose the other way around is how I view my role and responsibility. Comes with a lot of pressure. I think anytime you join a big sports team that has a huge history, you know expectations are high. No-one doesn’t notice us. But that part is fun and also very rewarding, you know.”

Read more: Committed Lando Norris Given a Sensible Advice to Navigate Through McLaren’s F1 Chaos Amid Persistent Red Bull Rumors

As Zak Brown opened up about his role, Andrea Stella recently talked about McLaren not getting the concept right for the new regulations. Maybe this is why McLaren chose to focus on the long-term plan. 

Andrea Stella on millimeters making a difference in cars with these new regulations.

The ground effect cars were brought last year and the underfloor plays a crucial role in the total downforce of the car. There are multiple channels underneath the car and even millimeters make a difference. The channels and fences underneath play a huge role in how the vortices travel and the slightest change can throw it off. He also added how McLaren has not got this basic concept right.

According to Motorsport.com, Andrea Stella said, “So, if you look underneath, you’ll see channels, which play quite a significant role, and fences which all play together. You have to get the basic concepts right, which is something we haven’t done for the start of the season, but it’s also starting to become a game of millimeters here and there. They make the difference for how stable vortices are when they travel. And also, it makes a difference for porpoising.”

Watch this Story: How Lando Norris Had a Chance to Go to Red Bull But Instead Chose McLaren

What do you make of the challenges faced by Zak Brown as the CEO of McLaren?