Bernie Ecclestone's Blunt Assessment of Zak Brown's Leadership

Bernie Ecclestone's Blunt Assessment of Zak Brown's Leadership

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone recently offered a candid assessment of McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, directly telling him he doesn't consider Brown "very talented." However, Ecclestone highlighted one crucial talent Brown possesses: his exceptional ability to surround himself with the right people, which Ecclestone credits as a key factor in McLaren's remarkable resurgence.

Why it matters:

McLaren has undergone a dramatic transformation under Zak Brown's leadership, moving from a period of crisis to dominant title contention. Ecclestone's direct, no-holds-barred perspective provides a unique insight into the qualities driving this success.

The big picture:

McLaren is poised for a dominant 2025 season, having already secured the 2024 Constructors' Championship. Drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are currently locked in a battle for the Drivers' Championship, with McLaren holding a commanding 337-point lead in the team standings.

The details:

Ecclestone, speaking in an interview, noted the good fortune of Piastri and Norris to be in such a competitive team at the right time. He recounted his direct conversation with Brown:

• "I recently said to him, because I’ve known him for a long time: ‘I don’t think you’re very talented, but one of your talents is that you choose the right people to work for you.’"
• Ecclestone emphasized Brown's skill in assembling and retaining a strong team, acknowledging that "the people at McLaren are doing a good job."

Brown's Impact at McLaren:

• Brown joined McLaren in 2016 and assumed the McLaren Racing CEO position in 2018, inheriting an organization in disarray.
• His strategic decision to promote Andrea Stella to Team Principal in 2023 proved to be a masterstroke, quickly leading to the 2024 Constructors' title—McLaren's first since 1998.
• Brown also cultivated arguably the grid's strongest driver lineup, securing Lando Norris and fiercely pursuing Oscar Piastri, even through a legal dispute. Piastri now leads the Drivers' Championship by 31 points with eight rounds remaining.
• Commercially, McLaren is thriving, exemplified by Mastercard's reported $100 million-a-year title sponsorship from 2026.

What's next:

Under Brown's strategic leadership and knack for identifying and empowering talent, McLaren has established a robust foundation. This positions the team for continued success and a bright future at the pinnacle of Formula 1.