McLaren Announces Team Principal Exit with Zak Brown’s Official Statement. 

McLaren Racing, one of Formula 1’s most decorated teams, has confirmed changes in its leadership structure, with Zak Brown reflecting on the tenure of their outgoing team principal. Despite their storied history, which includes eight Constructors’ Championships and 12 Drivers’ titles, McLaren’s last major victory dates back to 2008 with Lewis Hamilton. The team has since struggled, particularly during the hybrid engine era and their problematic partnership with Honda.

The introduction of new technical regulations in 2022 further compounded McLaren’s challenges. Development missteps left the team lagging significantly behind their competitors. However, under the leadership of Andrea Stella, who assumed the role of team principal in 2023, McLaren has experienced a dramatic resurgence, suggesting a turning point for the Woking-based outfit.

Approaching the Dutch Grand Prix, McLaren has positioned itself as a genuine contender in the Constructors’ Championship, sitting 42 points behind the dominant Red Bull Racing. While this marks a remarkable turnaround, Zak Brown, McLaren’s CEO, acknowledged in a letter to fans that the road under Stella’s leadership has not always been smooth.

Brown highlighted the challenges and triumphs of the season, including a notable milestone achieved by McLaren’s drivers. “For the first time since 2002, two drivers from the same team have claimed their maiden wins in the same season. That’s an extraordinary accomplishment,” he said. Despite early difficulties, Brown emphasized that McLaren’s culture of learning and positivity has been pivotal to their recovery.

He credited Stella’s collaborative leadership style as a driving force behind McLaren’s recent progress. “A colleague recently told me that in their 40 years at McLaren, the team’s environment has never been this positive. The energy from everyone has been incredible,” Brown noted.

Brown also underscored the collective effort that underpins McLaren’s success, acknowledging the contributions of their ownership, board members, technical team, partners, and loyal fans. “This resurgence is a result of a unified team effort. Without everyone’s dedication, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he added.