Last Updated on October 9 2025, 11:58 am
McLaren’s long-awaited triumph in the 2024 Formula 1 season not only returned the Woking team to the pinnacle of world motorsport, but also delivered a significant financial windfall to its chief executive, Zak Brown. More than twenty-five years after its last constructors’ title in 1998, the team clinched the 2024 championship following a remarkable season.
The team’s resurgence was fuelled by the consistent performances of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who achieved an impressive twelve victories in seventeen races. With 623 points, McLaren left Mercedes trailing by 333 points and were on the brink of securing back-to-back titles in 2025.
A record payday for Zak Brown
This success translated directly into a substantial financial reward for Zak Brown. According to Bloomberg and filings with the UK’s Companies House, the American executive earned €42.75 million.
This is a significant increase on the €30 million he received the previous year, highlighting how McLaren’s return to success has benefited not only the team, but also its leadership.
Brown’s compensation is tied to a performance-based structure that reflects McLaren’s commercial growth and sporting success. The title win brought fresh sponsorships, increased media exposure and renewed prestige for the iconic British outfit, all of which contributed to the strong financial results that underpinned the CEO’s bonus.
A season of dominance
McLaren’s rise to the top was anything but straightforward. The 2024 campaign was one of the most competitive in recent memory, with Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull all striving to keep pace with the rapidly improving McLaren cars. However, under Brown’s leadership and Andrea Stella’s technical direction, McLaren consistently produced race-winning cars.
Norris emerged as a regular victor, securing five wins and becoming a consistent contender for the title, while Piastri has been McLaren’s standout performer this season, achieving seven victories and establishing himself as one of Formula 1’s most promising young talents.
Looking ahead to Singapore
Heading into the Singapore Grand Prix, McLaren holds a commanding lead in the constructors’ standings. Just thirteen more points will mathematically secure the 2025 title for the team, making it almost certain that they will celebrate another championship well before the season finale.
While the team’s collective dominance appears unchallenged, the battle between its two drivers remains close. Norris and Piastri are separated by just twenty-five points in the drivers’ championship, setting up a fascinating intra-team battle for individual glory.
Max Verstappen, who is currently in third place, forty-four points behind Norris, remains in contention. However, McLaren’s recent strong performance has made it difficult for their rivals to catch up. The championship, at least among the teams, looks all but decided, but the battle between the drivers is keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
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McLaren’s golden era
For Brown, the transformation of McLaren into a front-running force marks the culmination of years of rebuilding. Since taking over in 2016, he has overseen a complete restructuring of the organisation, including management changes, a renewed focus on technical innovation and significant investment in young driver talent.
The results have been dramatic. McLaren’s partnership with Mercedes for power units, combined with the stability of its driver line-up, has given the team the consistency it long lacked. Off the track, Brown’s focus on expanding McLaren’s commercial reach, including ventures in IndyCar and endurance racing, has further strengthened the brand’s global presence.
A sign of Formula 1’s financial rewards
Brown’s €43 million payout highlights the vast sums circulating at the top of Formula 1. Success on the track boosts not only prize money, but also the value of sponsorship deals and the team’s broader commercial appeal. For McLaren, which struggled for years in the post-Honda and Renault eras, returning to the top is a sporting and financial triumph.
It also underscores the fact that modern F1 leadership is measured as much by business acumen as by race strategy. Brown’s ability to combine both has restored McLaren’s status as a benchmark team, alongside Ferrari and Mercedes.
As the 2025 season begins, McLaren seems ready to maintain its momentum, with its drivers leading the way and its CEO enjoying the fruits of a historic turnaround. Once written off as a fading powerhouse, McLaren’s revival is now complete — and Zak Brown’s record-breaking bonus proves just how lucrative winning in Formula 1 can be.
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MORE F1 NEWS – Leclerc v Norris: Stewards find Ferrari guilty
The FIA stewards found Ferrari guilty of an unsafe release during the second free practice session for the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix. Following an incident involving Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris, the Italian team received a fine of 10,000 euros.
The situation unfolded when Ferrari instructed Leclerc to exit the garage and enter the fast lane of the pit lane. However, Norris was already in the lane. The two cars made contact, forcing Norris into the pit wall and damaging his front wing.
In their official statement, the stewards outlined the reasoning behind their decision. They noted that Leclerc was instructed to leave the garage without being fully aware of Norris’s presence. According to the report, the Ferrari crew member responsible for signalling to Leclerc misjudged the situation and provided unclear instructions.
The statement further clarified that Leclerc could not see Norris, which led directly to the collision. Fines for such cases normally stand at 5,000 euros. However, in this instance, the stewards decided to double the penalty.
They explained that this was based on precedent, citing several earlier cases where unsafe releases had been treated more leniently. They concluded that a stronger response was necessary to emphasise the seriousness of the offence.
This decision was made in accordance with Article 34.14 a) of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, which states the following: ‘Cars may not be released from the garage or the pit stop position in such a way as to endanger personnel in the pit lane or another driver, or damage another car.’ READ MORE ON THIS STORY
Stanton is a London-based journalist specialising in sports business and sponsorship. With a degree in economics and years reporting for business-focused publications, Stanton translates F1’s complex financial world into clear, compelling narratives.
So THIS is why ZB strolls around with that snug look on his face! Does he share it around the team!s employees … after all, it IS a TEAM effort and HE couldn’t do it on his own, could he