McLaren Racing’s Formula 1 drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, finished third and fourth at the Singapore Grand Prix this past Sunday, securing the team’s second consecutive Constructors’ Championship.
A Legacy in the Making
One of the oldest teams in Formula 1’s 76-year history, McLaren reportedly boasts an estimated valuation of a groundbreaking $5 billion, surpassing Ferrari’s estimated $4.8 billion in 2024 under CEO Zak Brown’s leadership. Since joining McLaren in 2016, Brown has capitalized on F1’s tremendous growth in the U.S. to increase the team’s sponsorship revenue and has also guided McLaren to its first constructors’ title since 1998.
Financial Growth and Leadership Rewards
Given the team’s recent accomplishments, Brown’s compensation for 2025 will likely be comparable to his 2024 earnings exceeding $50 million (£37.3 million). Before achieving this financial success in F1, Brown initially made his fortune through spinning wheels in a different sense.
From Dropout to Game Show Star
Born in Los Angeles, Brown was a high school dropout with dreams of a baseball career that never materialized. “I was not a good student… I got in trouble quite a bit,” he shared on an episode of The Bottom Line podcast released in July. During one of his rare days in school in 1984, he participated in a casting call for the quiz show Wheel of Fortune and emerged victorious, winning a pair of watches that would kick-start his racing career.
Racing Ventures and Marketing Mastery
While he didn’t secure a position as a Formula 1 driver, Brown competed in British Formula Three and other racing series before shifting to the business side. He founded Just Marketing Inc., leveraging his racing connections to secure sponsorships. By the time he sold a majority stake in 2008, his firm had become one of the leading motorsport marketing agencies worldwide.
Navigating Challenges at McLaren
Upon joining McLaren around a decade ago, the team was struggling and was facing numerous challenges. There was a belief that changing engine suppliers would solve their issues, but difficulties continued. Brown noted the arrogance in expecting instant results after the switch, leading to some sober realizations about the team’s condition.
A Risky Financial Landscape
By the end of 2020, after a pandemic-hit F1 season, McLaren’s situation became critical, leading to a partial sale to an American investment group. “We were definitely on the brink,” Brown recounted, explaining the need for a cash infusion to avoid jeopardizing the team’s future. However, an investment of $235.8 million (£185 million) along with a culture of collective responsibility ultimately fueled McLaren’s resurgence.
“We win and lose together, we back each other up, and we don’t blame each other,” Brown stated. “Mistakes happen, and we learn from them.”
