The McLaren boss plays F1 fantasy
McLaren has two young drivers under long-term contracts: Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Still, at the 2025 Laureus Sports Awards ceremony, CEO Zak Brown didn’t shy away from playing a little Formula 1 fantasy, imagining possible signings in case one of his seats were to become available soon. Interviewed by Spanish sports daily Marca, the American manager admitted he’d probably go for the driver recently dropped by Ferrari to make room for Lewis Hamilton.
Zak Brown speaks
“If we had a free seat,” said Zak Brown, “we would obviously consider Carlos Sainz again. But right now we have Lando and Oscar, both under contract for several more years. However, if for some reason the situation changed and Carlos were available, I have his number saved in my contacts…”
This wasn’t a criticism from the McLaren F1 boss—who didn’t win the “Team of the Year” award, which went instead to football club Real Madrid—of Ferrari’s decision made just over a year ago: “It’s not that simple, because many dynamics come into play in such a situation. Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time world champion, and it’s rare to get a chance to have an athlete like that on your team. But at the same time, Carlos was incredible with us… A good friend and a great driver. Luckily, I wasn’t the one who had to make that choice.”
Alonso a target for WEC?
Speaking of driver market speculation, Brown also mentioned Fernando Alonso as a possible future representative of McLaren in the WEC, the World Endurance Championship, where the Woking team will enter starting in 2027: “Fernando is one of the best, and I know it because he already worked with us. He’s an incredible athlete, and even though his F1 days may soon be over, we’ve already announced we’re coming back to Le Mans. It’s a race he’s already won, and I’d love to see him behind the wheel of a McLaren again.”
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