CEO Zak Brown reveals 'Secret Weapon' behind McLaren's success

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has heaped praise on team principal Andrea Stella, calling him the "secret weapon" behind the team’s recent success. Stella, an experienced engineer with a long tenure at Ferrari before joining McLaren in 2015, has been instrumental in the team’s resurgence. Over the years, he has held various roles, including head of race operations and performance director, before taking over as team principal in 2023.

Following McLaren’s remarkable 1-2 finish at the Shanghai International Circuit, Brown expressed his admiration for Stella’s leadership.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he stated, “What it might look like on paper… the team did a great job with strategy, once again I think we’ve shown we’ve got the best driver line-up, and then our real secret weapon is to my left, the best team principal in F1.”

Drivers Playing a Crucial Role
McLaren’s transformation from a lower-midfield contender at the beginning of 2023 to championship challengers in 2024 has been driven by several factors, with driver synergy playing a major role. Brown emphasized how both drivers have contributed significantly to the team’s performance.

“The drivers get along great and have done such an outstanding job; they came back from the winter so focused on themselves, on the team, technically understanding what we’ve done with the car. They’re just both at the top of their game and it’s great to see how great they’re both doing.”

Keeping Expectations in Check
Despite the team’s impressive form, Brown remains cautious about the challenges ahead. He acknowledged that Formula 1 remains highly competitive, with multiple teams capable of winning races.

“I think we’ve got to go into every weekend knowing that there are four teams that can win – it’s great that we’re one of them. We’re historically good in Japan. It’s a great circuit.”

Looking ahead, Brown anticipates a thrilling season, reaffirming the unpredictability and excitement of the championship. “F1, I think what we have predicted is this is going to be an epic season, and I think that’s what we’re starting to see.”

With McLaren emerging as a formidable force, the combination of strong leadership, strategic execution, and a talented driver pairing has positioned them as a serious contender for the title in 2024.