BREAKING NEWS: McLaren Boss Zak Brown Announces Exit As…read more

BREAKING NEWS: McLaren Boss Zak Brown Announces Exit As…read more

 

In a major announcement that signals a new era for McLaren Racing, CEO Zak Brown has confirmed that the team will officially withdraw from the Formula E championship at the conclusion of the 2024–25 season. The decision, revealed today, is part of a larger strategic shift as McLaren refocuses its priorities toward its core motorsport programs and an ambitious new venture into endurance racing.

Speaking on the decision, Brown emphasized that the move is intended to consolidate McLaren’s resources where the brand sees the greatest long-term potential: Formula 1, IndyCar, and an upcoming Hypercar program aimed at the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

“This decision wasn’t taken lightly,” Brown said. “Formula E has been an exciting chapter for McLaren, and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved. However, we must always look ahead to where we can create the most impact and build a sustainable, winning future for McLaren Racing.”

The exit from Formula E aligns with McLaren’s renewed focus on achieving motorsport’s prestigious “Triple Crown” — victories at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. McLaren has already secured wins at Monaco and Indy, and now sets its sights firmly on conquering Le Mans through its new Hypercar project, which will debut in WEC in 2027.

“Our Hypercar program is a key pillar of McLaren’s future,” Brown continued. “Winning Le Mans would be a historic milestone for us and completing the Triple Crown would cement our legacy among the greatest in motorsport history.”

Brown also noted that this reorganization is designed to make McLaren more competitive across all fronts. With Formula 1 entering a crucial new technical era and IndyCar continuing to grow in global popularity, McLaren aims to maximize its performance by focusing its engineering and financial resources more efficiently.

 

McLaren’s Journey in Formula E

McLaren entered Formula E for the 2022–23 season, inheriting the operations of the championship-winning Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team. Over their time in the electric series, McLaren experienced mixed results, including several podiums and a reputation for strong race-day performances, but they were never able to consistently dominate in the way some had expected.

Still, Brown expressed pride in McLaren’s Formula E team and hinted that lessons learned in the fully electric series could have future applications elsewhere within the group’s wider projects.

“I want to thank every member of our Formula E team for their hard work, passion, and commitment,” Brown said. “Their efforts have been crucial to McLaren’s growth and understanding of electric racing technology, which will no doubt influence our future road car and motorsport programs.”

 

What’s Next for McLaren Racing

With a more streamlined focus, McLaren will now channel its efforts into pushing further up the Formula 1 grid, expanding its IndyCar presence, and preparing for its WEC Hypercar debut. The company’s Formula 1 team, led by Andrea Stella, has shown signs of resurgence, and in IndyCar, the Arrow McLaren squad continues to be a major force.

 

Meanwhile, the development of the Hypercar is already underway, with McLaren engineers collaborating closely across its racing and automotive arms. The target is clear: deliver a Le Mans-winning machine capable of matching the brand’s storied history.

 

As Brown summarized, “This is about writing the next great chapter for McLaren. We are fully committed to returning to the top across all categories where we compete  and now, we’re even closer to completing our ultimate goal.”

McLaren’s final races in Formula E will take place this summer, with the team aiming to finish the season on a high before shifting its full attention to the challenges  and opportunities  that lie ahead.