
Zak Brown
CEO of McLaren Racing and experienced motorsport executive who led the turnaround of McLaren from major financial and sporting challenges to back-to-back Constructors' Championship success; guest of the episode discussing leadership, culture and team rebuild.
Top 10 podcasts with Zak Brown
Ranked by the Snipd community

164 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 43min
Zak Brown: Rebuilding McLaren, Leading Formula 1 and the Power of Winning Culture
In a riveting conversation, Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, dives into the team's impressive turnaround in Formula 1. He emphasizes that a transparent culture and valuing people are key to success. Zak shares insights on aligning departments, the importance of small performance gains, and preparing for future regulations. He explores the dynamics between drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the impact of fan engagement, and how media has transformed F1's reach. Zak also reflects on leadership maturity and the continuous learning journey in racing and beyond.

47 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 1min
Zak Brown: The Deal That Kept McLaren Alive and How I Rebuilt the Team (E379)
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, shares his inspiring journey from a rebellious Californian to a leading voice in motorsport. He discusses the turnaround of McLaren, emphasizing the importance of culture, communication, and difficult conversations in leadership. Zak reveals insights on managing internal dynamics between drivers, the strategy behind financial recovery, and transforming a struggling team into a cohesive powerhouse. His commitment to loyalty and humility shines through as he reflects on the challenges that tested his leadership under pressure.

47 snips
Dec 12, 2024 • 40min
Zak Brown: How McLaren Shocked F1 & Norris vs Verstappen Rivalry (E312)
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, shares insights from a thrilling 2024 Championship Race where his team clinched their first Constructors' Championship in 26 years. He discusses cultivating a winning mentality and the essential emotional intelligence needed to support drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Brown highlights the pressure of high-stakes pit stops and the vital role of teamwork in making split-second decisions. Tune in for a deep dive into leadership, resilience, and the relentless quest for excellence in Formula 1.

27 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 10min
HIGHLIGHTS: Zak Brown - CEO of McLaren Racing
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, shares insights on transforming the iconic F1 team. He emphasizes the importance of culture and transparency in driving performance, highlighting how people matter more than equipment. Zak discusses the tight margins in F1 that determine success and praises his talented drivers, Lando and Oscar. He also highlights fan engagement as a strategic priority, noting the impact of Netflix's 'Drive to Survive' in attracting new audiences. Expect reflections on leadership and the relentless pursuit of excellence!

10 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 59min
Andrea Stella + Zak Brown: McLaren’s transformation + the Drivers’ Championship race
Join Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing and former driver, alongside Andrea Stella, Team Principal with a wealth of engineering expertise, as they dive into McLaren's incredible transformation from a struggling team to back-to-back Constructors’ champions. They discuss the technical innovations and brave design choices that fueled their success, the tight Drivers’ Championship race between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and their motivational philosophies. Plus, hear about the importance of team dynamics and their approach to managing two competing drivers.

8 snips
Jul 24, 2025 • 56min
#249: Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing – Performance is everyone’s job
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing and a former race car driver, shares his insights on building high-performance teams. He emphasizes that clarity and inclusivity are essential for success, discussing how exclusivity previously hurt the brand. Zak dives into leadership lessons from racing, the explosive growth of Formula One's audience, and the importance of teamwork and technology at McLaren. He also shares strategies for making split-second decisions and fostering long-term partnerships in a competitive environment.

6 snips
Nov 26, 2024 • 28min
Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO: ‘We Race for Trophies, not Money’ (Ep47)
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, shares insights on transforming a struggling F1 team into a title contender. He emphasizes competing for trophies over profits, highlighting the unique culture and dynamics that drive success. Brown discusses the impact of recent financial structures, allowing teams to achieve profitability while maintaining competitiveness. He also celebrates the remarkable talent of drivers like Oscar Piastri and the importance of team morale. Listeners get an insider's look at McLaren's innovative approach to team management and sponsorship strategies.

4 snips
May 7, 2024 • 49min
Zak Brown: McLaren’s winning mastermind
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, discusses instilling a winning mentality, Lando Norris's victory, potential championship contention, and the team's aspirations for the future in Formula 1. The episode delves into McLaren's transformation under Brown's leadership, driver lineup stability, team culture, and long-term planning for success. Also touches on recruitment, young driver evolution, Bahraini influence, and personal reflections on McLaren's recent successes.

Aug 25, 2022 • 46min
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO: How to make the big decisions in F1 (E139)
Zak Brown, the dynamic CEO of McLaren Racing, shares his inspiring journey from aspiring racer to F1 team leader. He discusses the vital role of attention to detail in decision-making and the necessity of empathy when faced with tough choices. Brown reflects on the impact of parental influences on his career drive and emphasizes the significance of authenticity in building relationships. His insights on communication and self-awareness provide valuable lessons for anyone navigating leadership and the pursuit of high performance.

Aug 24, 2022 • 48min
Lando Norris: working on winning with McLaren
He’s an F1 star, and he’s still getting brighter. Lando Norris is on a mission with McLaren, determined to deliver trophies and titles. He’s twice come agonisingly close to his first F1 victory. That is just fuel for his fire. Lando opens up to Tom Clarkson about the races he feels he should have already won, his moments of self-doubt, his ambitions, his attitude to life and work, and how he’s seen by the public and his fans. Lando reveals he sometimes dwells on past frustrations, but his focus is fixed on future glory. He’s honest and illuminating about things he and his team can improve. One day soon, he says, ‘there won’t be any excuses’. Working on winning will ‘make things sweeter… a much cooler story’. As you’ll hear, the hard work has already begun…
Have a listen to Lando’s first F1 Beyond The Grid appearance in March 2020
Plus other related interviews from the BTG archive
Daniel Ricciardo
Carlos Sainz
McLaren CEO (and Lando’s golf buddy) Zak Brown
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