McLaren CEO Zak Brown has outlined a long-term ambition for the manufacturer to succeed across Formula 1, Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500.
Motorsport’s ‘triple crown’ is widely regarded to incorporate Formula 1’s Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 and the Le Mans 24 Hours, with Graham Hill the only driver to have triumphed at all three.
Brown took over as McLaren CEO from Ron Dennis at the end of 2016 and the Formula 1 team’s fortunes have improved in recent seasons, returning to the podium, and holding third in this year’s Constructors’ Championship.
McLaren returned to IndyCar full-time this year in partnership with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports to form Arrow McLaren SP and lead driver Pato O’Ward holds an impressive third in the standings, having placed sixth at the Indianapolis 500.
McLaren does not currently compete in the World Endurance Championship but it claimed victory at the 1995 edition while Brown’s United Autosport’s team recently clinched class success in LMP2 at Le Mans.
“There is no team I enjoy more than McLaren, and I love we’re in Formula 1, IndyCar, I’d love to see us get back to sportscars,” Brown said on Formula 1’s Beyond The Grid podcast.
“So my dream would be the Formula 1 World Championship, Indy 500, IndyCar Championship, Le Mans and we can do all of those things at McLaren but that’ll probably take 20 years, so I’ve got big aspirations.”
“I’d like to be the first team boss to win the triple crown, I’ve got to blame Fernando [Alonso] for that.”
Brown says he expects to remain in motorsport for several decades and hopes to emulate other Formula 1 team bosses such as Dennis and Sir Frank Williams.
“I can definitely see myself being at McLaren for decades,” said Brown.
“I did my old company JMI for 23 years, I’m four years into this, it kinda feels like yesterday, I’m 48-years old and I’m one of those like Bernie [Ecclestone], like Ron, like Frank who are gonna work until they’re 70, 80 years old.
“It means I can do this for another 20 plus years.”
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