Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Zak Brown

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Zak Brown made an impact.

Zak Brown is an American motorsports executive and the current CEO of McLaren Racing. Before his executive role, Brown had a decade-long career as a professional race car driver, competing in various series globally. Following his racing career, he transitioned into the business and commercial aspects of motorsports, ultimately leading to his leadership position at McLaren.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1986: Begins Racing Career in Karting

In 1986, Zak Brown began his racing career in karting.

1990: Karting Career

By 1990, Zak Brown had won 22 races in five seasons in karting.

1992: Competes in Formula Opel-Lotus Benelux Series

In 1992, Zak Brown competed in the Formula Opel-Lotus Benelux Series and secured top-ten finishes in each of the season's races.

1994: Competes in British Formula Three Championship

In 1994, Zak Brown competed in the British Formula Three Championship.

1995: Founds Just Marketing, Inc. (JMI)

In 1995, Zak Brown founded Just Marketing, Inc. (JMI), a motorsports marketing agency.

1995: Indy Lights Debut

In 1995, Zak Brown made his Indy Lights debut at Laguna Seca.

1996: Competes in German Formula Three Championship Race

In 1996, Zak Brown competed in a German Formula Three Championship race.

1997: Second in GT2 at 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring

In 1997, Zak Brown finished second in the GT2 category in the 24 Hours at Daytona with Roock Racing in a factory-supported Porsche 911 GT2. He also finished second in the 1997 12 Hours of Sebring.

2001: Sabbatical from Racing

In 2001, Zak Brown took a sabbatical from professional racing to focus on JMI, his motorsport marketing business.

2005: End of Sabbatical

In 2005, Zak Brown's sabbatical from professional racing ended, allowing him to return to the track.

2006: Returns to Racing and Wins Britcar 24 Hours

In 2006, Zak Brown returned to the track with an entry in the Britcar 24 Hours race, winning his class as a member of the driver line-up for Moore International Motorsport.

2007: Contests Ferrari Challenge Series

In 2007, Zak Brown contested the Ferrari Challenge Series as part of a six-car stable fielded by Ferrari of Washington. At his debut in Fontana, he started in pole position and led every lap to claim victory.

2009: United Autosports Founded

In 2009, Zak Brown and Richard Dean co-founded United Autosports, a motorsport team competing globally.

2009: Co-founds United Autosports

In 2009, Zak Brown and Richard Dean co-founded United Autosports.

2010: Third-place finish in GT3 category

In 2010, United Autosports scored a third-place finish in the GT3 category at the Total 24 Hours of Spa.

2011: Maiden Class Victory in British GT Championship

In 2011, United Autosports recorded its maiden class victory in the British GT Championship at Snetterton.

2012: Races in Blancpain Endurance Series and British GT Championship

In 2012, United Autosports raced in both the Blancpain Endurance Series with a McLaren MP4-12C and the British GT Championship with an Audi R8 LMS. Brown himself won the last round of the British GT Championship at Donington Park in a McLaren MP4-12C GT3.

2013: JMI Acquired by CSM; Brown Becomes CEO

In 2013, Just Marketing International (JMI) was acquired by CSM, a division of Chime Communications Limited, and Zak Brown became the company's CEO.

2013: Competes in British GT Championship

In 2013, Zak Brown competed in a full season of the British GT Championship with United Autosports in a McLaren MP4-12C GT3.

November 21, 2016: Appointed Executive Director of McLaren Technology Group

On November 21, 2016, Zak Brown was announced as the executive director of McLaren Technology Group.

2016: Becomes Non-Executive Chairman of Motorsport Network

In 2016, Zak Brown became the non-executive chairman of Motorsport Network, a global motorsport and automotive digital platform.

2016: Relinquishes CEO position at CSM

In 2016, Zak Brown relinquished his position as CEO of CSM to focus on his responsibilities with McLaren.

April 10, 2018: Becomes CEO of McLaren Racing

On April 10, 2018, Zak Brown became the chief executive officer of McLaren Racing as part of an operational restructure of the McLaren Group.

2019: Leaves Motorsport Network

In 2019, Zak Brown ended his role as the non-executive chairman of Motorsport Network.

2021: United Autosports Enters Extreme E Series

In 2021, United Autosports entered the inaugural Extreme E series, pairing with Andretti Autosport to create the Andretti United XE team.

2022: Focus Shifts Exclusively to McLaren

In 2022, when McLaren formed its own Extreme E program, Zak Brown emphasized he was a "silent partner" in Andretti United XE and would focus exclusively on McLaren.