Zak Brown to replace Ron Dennis (2nd Update)

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' with today's news see Hot News page.

Zak Brown

11/17/16

American Zak Brown "has received a 'firm offer' from McLaren" to succeed Ron Dennis as its CEO, according to Gill & Slater of SKY SPORTS.

But it is also understood that Brown "has also received a job offer from Liberty Media, the sport's proposed new owners."

Sky sources have suggested that Brown "will make a decision" — effectively choosing between becoming the boss of one of the sport's biggest teams or one of the bosses of the sport — "in the next week."

Sky Sports F1 pundit Damon Hill: "I don't think Zak would say he is the man to put together a Formula 1 team. His strength probably is sponsorship and selling the team and that is a huge part of this sport, putting together a package in order to fight in Formula 1 as the cash flow out is massive."

McLaren confirmed on Tuesday night that it was in the "process of seeking a new chief executive officer" following the removal of Dennis in the final act of a long-running boardroom dispute. Friends of Dennis "have described the 69-year-old as feeling 'betrayed by his own family.'" Sky Sports

10/30/16 American ZAK BROWN left the door on his personal future ajar as he neither confirmed nor denied rumors he has been tapped by McLaren to replace Chair RON DENNIS next year.

Speaking to SBD Global on Thursday, Brown said that he would rather not comment specifically on the rumor, which was first reported by the BBC on Tuesday.

"I’ve engaged in a number of discussion regarding my future," Brown, who will leave his position as Group CEO of CSM Sport & Entertainment at the end of the year, said.

"However, at the moment I’m focused on transitioning out of my position at CSM and spending time with Motorsport Network integrating their recent acquisition of Haymarket."

Brown, who is one of the leading commercial figures in F1, is also considered to be a potential pick for the series’ chief commercial officer by Liberty Media, F1’s new owners.

McLaren’s controlling shareholders have reportedly told Dennis, who has been with team since ‘80, that his contract will not be renewed at the end of ’17.

Other names on the shortlist to replace Dennis are understood to include former Mercedes Team Principal ROSS BRAWN, ex-McLaren Team Principal MARTIN WHITMARSH and former Sainsbury's boss JUSTIN KING.

Earlier this year McLaren appointed Volkswagen Motorsport Dir JOST CAPITO as its new CEO, replacing JONATHAN NEALE.

The British F1 team is looking to return to old glory after several disappointing seasons. McLaren has not won a title since ’07, and its switch from Mercedes to Honda engines has yet to bear fruit. The Woking, England-based squad also has not had a title sponsor since Vodafone pulled out of its deal at the end of ’13. HJ Mai/SBD