McLaren CEO Zak Brown explains how he has completely transformed the image of the British team. The American wanted to rejuvenate and brighten the brand when he took over from Ron Dennis in 2016. Although Brown has been successful in transforming the team, he is far from comparing himself to the British Dennis.
Ron Dennis was the team boss of McLaren between 1981 and 2009, winning seven constructor titles with the British team. Under Dennis’s leadership, McLaren became known as a streamlined and efficient brand. The Brit left the team at the end of 2016. His successor, Zak Brown, decided to revert the livery of the McLarens back to papaya and give the team a whole new identity.
“The color papaya has become a brand,” Brown tells Auto, Motor und Sport. “If I compare it to Star Wars, then McLaren has been playing the role of Darth Vader for a long time. Dark, cold, terrifying. We are now trying to resemble Skywalker a bit. Lots of positive energy, colorful, young.”
The Big Three
Brown’s transformation of McLaren has not only resulted in a different image for the team, with young drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri playing a key role, but also in the first constructors’ title in twenty-six years. However, Brown does not want to compare himself to Dennis. “I would never compare myself to Ron Dennis, because for me, he is one of the three greatest legends of motorsport, alongside Enzo Ferrari and Bernie Ecclestone,” says the American.
“They created what Formula 1 is today. I would love to be on that list, but I would never dare to put myself on it today,” continues Brown, who serves as CEO of McLaren. “I have won six races with McLaren. Ron had that many in titles alone. But I already feel like the leader of an incredible team that wants to live up to the success McLaren has had in the sport for years.”
