Business F1 Top 20 Petrolheads: Zak Brown, collector, driver and Formula 1 great

“You can’t help but be impressed by Zak’s energy, dynamism and instinctive business sense. To me, Zak is the only businessman in the pitlane with a very clear vision of where he wants to go. This industry is full of amateurs, so I find it very exciting to work with Zak,” says John Hogan, former Marlboro manager with a strategic vision that led him to monopolize Formula 1 through major sponsorship deals with McLaren and Ferrari. These words are the best endorsement for the young American who, at the beginning of the 2000s, began to deal with Formula 1. Hogan wasn't wrong: Zak Brown, a former professional driver and NASCAR sponsorship agent, quickly grasped the immense potential of the World Championship after moving to Europe.

Zak Brown’s car collection has grown over the years in value as he keeps adding cars.

Brown's agency grew rapidly with Hogan, who had left Marlboro by his side, eventually making him very wealthy. He sold half of his company to Spire Capital Partners and another 30% to the advertising giant WPP and Credit Suisse to fund expansion, keeping just 20% for himself. Then, in 2013, they sold the entire agency for $76 million. For Brown, it was time for new experiences: He returned to serious racing and created his own team, United Autosports, which also raced McLaren Gran Turismos. Despite this, Brown remained connected to Formula 1 and, in 2016, seized the opportunity to lead McLaren, stepping into the shoes of Ron Dennis. This was a challenging role, as Dennis, despite a difficult period, had been one of the most successful team principals in Formula One history.

Zak's journey wasn't easy, but he had clear ideas. He expanded the business by acquiring an IndyCar team, a Formula E team, and launching an Extreme E team, repositioning McLaren as it had been in the past when it also competed in IndyCar and CanAm races. But Formula 1, however, remained his primary focus. The team's resurgence began with the recruitment of talented drivers like the young Lando Norris and the seasoned Ricciardo, leading McLaren to success in the 2021 Italian GP. The 2023 season was encouraging for Zak with podium finishes and the promising Australian Oscar Piastri joining Norris. The anticipation for the 2024 season is high, and justifiably so.

Zak Brown and Jodie Kidd at the McLaren factory in Woking, which houses the McLaren Heritage Collection.

In the meantime, Zak Brown has become an avid collector of cars, owning over 50 road and race cars valued at over $100 million – a sound investment considering he built it with about $50 million, according to Business F1. “Every car in my collection is a race winner and they all still race,” Brown says from United Autosports in northern England, where his collection is housed. His prized possession is the 1991 McLaren-Honda V12 MP4/6, driven by Ayrton Senna and with which he won the World Championship that season. "It's the crown jewel, it has all the right papers. I've owned it for five years and if I had to pick just one from my collection, this would be it," he says. Brown's collection also includes numerous McLarens purchased directly from the factory since his appointment as CEO in 2017. "I love working for the team and have always been a huge McLaren enthusiast," he adds.

Zak Brown's car collection is the epitome of a racing and automotive enthusiast's dream, featuring classics such as a 1970 McLaren-Chevrolet M8D, a Wolf-Ford WR1, a John Player Special Lotus 79, a Williams FW07, a 1987 Newman/Haas IndyCar, another McLaren M8D, and a March Ford 701. His collection of road cars includes a Ferrari F50, a Ford GT, a McLaren Speedtail, a McLaren P1 and a Bugatti EB110.

His success is clearly reflected in his collection, which has only served to deepen his passion for automobiles.

Dickie Stanford, the former boss of Williams Heritage, manages the Brown collection.

The December issue of "BusinessF1" magazine featured the Top 20 Petrolheads, showcasing exceptional collectors in the world of motorsport. Roarington will delve deeper into the captivating stories of these remarkable enthusiasts, sharing a new profile each week.