Zak Brown:F1 Comes First Always
McLaren Racing: Building a Global Motorsport Empire
McLaren Racing stands out as a unique organization, currently competing successfully in Formula 1 and IndyCar, and having recently concluded its Formula E program. Looking ahead, the British team plans to make its debut in the Hypercar category of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2027, with testing of its new prototype set to begin in the first half of 2026.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, emphasized that Formula 1 remains the team’s top priority:
“We are a Formula 1 team, an IndyCar team, until recently also a FormulaE team, and now we are building a program for the WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Formula 1 is the center of our universe, and it will always stay that way.”
Brown also explained McLaren’s strategic expansion in the United States as a way to strengthen its presence in one of the most important global markets:
“North America is a huge, economically powerful region with a massive fan base. While Formula 1 was still growing its presence in the U.S., we aimed to get ahead of our competitors by actively participating in IndyCar. Even now, as F1 gains popularity in America, we strive to remain the most visible team in that market.”
He continued:
“Our entry into WEC is a natural next step. Major manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and Porsche are already there. We are the only team to have won the Indy 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Monaco Grand Prix the so-called Triple Crown of Motorsport. Now, we are set to become the only team competing across the three most prestigious racing series in the world. This opens up new opportunities for engagement with fans, commercial partners, and global markets, as well as access to cutting-edge technologies.”
In Formula 1, McLaren is currently dominating the Constructors’ Championship, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris occupying the top two spots in the Drivers’ standings. The IndyCar program has also shown strong performance: Pato O’Ward is second in the championship, narrowly missing out on a title shot, while teammate Christian Lundgaard holds fourth place overall and is a regular podium contender.
As for WEC, that chapter is still ahead but fast approaching, and full of promise.
